Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Nick Simmonett 
Date:Thursday April 19 2007
Time: 11:40AM
UK time is: 06:31:55
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Baptista Can't Settle At Arsenal
Julio Baptista has admitted for the first time that he is finding it difficult to adjust to life at Arsenal.
The 'Beast' (doesn't quite deserve that nickname after this season) can't handle the weather or the Premiership (sound familiar?) and the beefy Brazilian now says he doesn't know if he want's to stay at Arsenal (again, sounds familiar, Reyes did the same things).
Baptista told The Times: 'The weather over here is killing me. We get one day of sunshine for every 30 days of rain.
'The Premiership is very hard. I enjoy making clever touches but the game is so fast I don't have time to think.'
'I could stay at Arsenal but right now I can't see myself anywhere for definite,' he explained.
Baptista went on to say that he would like a second chance at Real Madrid, stating that his girlfriend and mother also prefer life in Madrid (is he reading Reyes' quotes from last season?).
'But it is clear in my mind that I'd tackle a second chance with Real with far more maturity than I did my first.
'My girlfriend and my mother are frightened about not seeing the sun in England. They miss being in Madrid.'
'The teams from the north of England are terrible,' Baptista said. 'When we play them I have counted their centre-backs booting up to 30 long balls upfield per game.
'The moment you stop to think, someone has taken the ball off you and knocked you to the ground.
'Over here they value a corner kick more than a fancy flick. I am lucky to be with Arsenal, as they are a team that likes to play proper football.'
It was nice while it lasted, I just hope we're not paying your wages this season Julio.
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Your Comments
A little bit harsh there Simmo. Ok so he hasn't set the world alight, but he hasn't exactly had a susstained run in the team has he? With the exception of Henry & RvP he has the best strike rate at the club.
Rocky7
yeah simmo, i agree with rocky, a bit harsh there. But what is it with players from spain and the weather in england :)? I actually feel a little sorry for him, but I suppose this is indication enough that he is going back to madrid !!
prits
seems like he knows that he probably won't be here next season.
Wenger_Knows
He's got the odd clever trick and bit of strenght but he aint half as good as the price tag Madrid want for him...£14m, money well spent if you sign him lads!!
matt..shelfsidespurs
The reason he hasn't had a run in the team is because he hasn't impressed enough when he's been given the chance. And to blame his lack of sucess (I wont say failure) on the Premiership and the weather? It's not on. Henry, Ronaldo, Van Persie, Zola amongst others have all adapted to using skill in such a fast-paced league.
simmy8_2000
its a shame, the one thing i liked about him was his attitude and now thats *****ed up. Oh well good to have you hear julio but not for another season im afraid.
hazzagooner
I can't see anywhere where he has blamed his lack of sucess to the weathr, he just said he doesnt like it.
Rocky7
nicknamed "the beast" more like "the fairy" - oooo its too cold, ooo i cant think, ooo i dont have time on the ball.... sounds like a ****** to me. Denilson isn't moaning and he's half the size of him. I think he needs to go learn that football isnt all about him and having as much time as he needs on the ball.....
D4NNYT
He says he doesn't like the weather (I think we can assume that's part of the reason he can't settle) so he is indirectly blaming the weather. He's tried, I'm not denying that, but it seems to me that he can't handle it. I hope I'm wrong, I'd love it if he went on and grabbed a load of goals before the end of the season and then went on to become a great player for us but it's not going to happen is it?
simmy8_2000
its like Reyes all over again :x
ExRox
i can understand the sentiment from arsenal fans when players like Reyes and Baptista say they dont like England due to the ***** weather and sunday pub league tactics of the lesser teams (spurs) - but you have to put some consideration into the fact they have a choice - most english people dont have that choice so live with the grey skies and yob culture, those that do have a choice get the hell out of there - i would rather they put Arsenal before the weather on their priority lists but i can sympathise - Note: both reyes AND baptista have stated they love arsenal, its England they dont like
bootoo
oh, and expect more of this attitude whenever we sign 'experience' from south american, mediterainian or asian countries
bootoo
Not all of them from those countries are like that. eg: Gilberto and Denilson.
questforavalon
Not all of them from those countries are like that. eg: Gilberto, Fabrigas and Denilson.
questforavalon
Those comments are a disgrace from the beast. Beast? He dont warrant that tag. ****** will do.
Jacky B
sorry for the double post. Blame it on my net connectivity. somehow it - his statement - seems like a case of sour grapes to me(not exactly a Reyes situation) but he may have refered to Reyes's statements last year.
questforavalon
by the way those ****** refer to another name for a cat, or the female genitalia!
Jacky B
gilberto was experienced, but also without a club side when he was signed and took years to settle - fabregas and denilson are kids getting a chance to play first team football in the best league in the world, im sure they dont care about the weather when considering the alternative
bootoo
People should lay off Baptista - just because he can't hack it here is no reason to degrade him. He may not be beastly enough for his nickname in the UK, but do we really need anymore Robbie 'Real Man' Savages in the PL Jacky? He also has a right not to like the weather or the hoof-it style of play. I don't feel he is betraying his club although I do wish he had waited for 3 weeks before speaking out.
Andy-bayor
No, i definately dont slate him for being kicked (i dont like it myself) but i do slate him for wanting loadsa time on the ball, and not being able to take a bit of rain!
Jacky B
Well, he had the time to count how many times teams from the north played long balls, but didnt have the time on the ball !! I dont want to slate Baps, coz I like him, but he should realise that there are loads of players from other countries (like quest pointed out) in our team and other premiership teams, they simply shut up and get on with the game.
prits
Jacky it may be slightly whingey to complain about time on the ball but its not offensive. Regarding the weather, its not about 'taking' a bit of rain or "being a man" its the gloom which he doesnt like - this is almost a cultural issue and you cant knock someone for it. If we were working in the desert we'd probably bit*ch about the 'bloody heat' too.
Andy-bayor
And prits I'm not sure its about shutting up and getting on with it... its a mental thing, some people can adapt and some can't, end of. You can't force yourself or decide to like something that you don't can you?
Andy-bayor
You can easily tell when you watch him play that he just wants that little bit longer on the ball, time to receive it, look up and weigh his options. He just hasn't adapted to the speed of the English game - remember Pires first season?? Reyes was the same. However, once the foreign players do adapt, they by and large do well. I think Reyes could have been a big success here. Maybe Baptista's game isn't just suited. I think it could be if he is willing to adapt.
Gooner_Vin
when he came here he said it was fantastic and why blame it now. face reality and decide whether you want to stay or not
Mudhara
' a bit of rain ' - again look at it from the perspective of somebody who isnt forced to live in england all their life - also look at your average rainfall figures, it rains a lot in england and is grey even more so - and he hasnt supported or played for arsenal all his life so his priorities are out of wack right now - it took you more than 1 season of watching the arsenal to fall in love with them im sure
bootoo
I dont understand these guys moaning about the weather, give me between 40-60k per week and il buy myself a sandpit for the garden, a marquee and 400 bright lamps. Come on beast, let ur feet do the talking (Although at this point in time what there saying amounts to gibberish) and score another couple past the spuds on saturday!
iceman10
Its different for you and me iceman - if we were offered that much money, yes we'll play barefoot on a pitch of broken glass for a while before we start to complain about things normal people would complain about. same with these guys - once they enter the realms of £50k-plus a week, it becomes normal to have the money and they will eventually still complain about the same a guy 10 divisions down does... Maybe its a kind of desensitivisation of money, or realising that when you have so much, its not all about the money anymore.
Andy-bayor
iceman10 - he can get 40-60k a week in spain or italy where he isnt taking a kicking from bolton defenders and can train in the sunshine - plus i assume you have lived in england you whole life so weather is not a concern for you? step outside of the box people! look at it from his point of view - and still be *****ed off because everyone should want to play for arsenal!
bootoo
I may have lived in England all my life but the likes of Fabregas, Ronaldo, Alonso, Juninho, Gilberto etc have not. The truth is you can adapt if you make the effort. As for getting a kicking have you seen how the likes of Ayala, Marchena, Puyol and co defend?
iceman10
whatever happens, i dun want Reyes back at the club..
luckys_10
Meh I have no grudge for him, there is a cultural block for him aswell. You keep saying Fabregas, Denilson, Ronaldo you forget that they moved here at younger ages. If he toughts it out he will probably adapt but down to the receptions from the media and some fans he will probably leave which is a shame to me. I would have liked to see him adapt to the premiership.
Gunners
You know, if I didn't know better I would say that you lot would rather have Reyes back. Has Arsene made another mistake? Quelle horreur!
Westl
What a f***** idiot. I can sum up his interview in 6 words. "English football is too good for me". Don't forget, the two must succesful teams are from the north of england.
Aamir
So you cant adapt unless you come here from a young age! Im one of the Beasts biggest supporters (Check the forums) I just dont like hearing rubbish like he has talked. Im sure if he knuckles down, stops talking about the weather and wants to play for The Arsenal he could be a big success.
iceman10
No Iceman it is just sometimes difficult. If he stayed for another season he probably would slot in, look at drogba for example. First season not so good, this season he came into his own. Baptista has been here for one season where he hasn't played all too much he needs adaption time which could take a year or two. If he wants to get on with his career playing where he is familiar granted he is turning down a challenge, I don't knock him for it.
Gunners
As Ive said im a supporter of Baptista but he should keep it buttoned. BTW Drogba was cack for 2 seasons!
iceman10
I will be really sad to see him he go if he does, I do believe that with a season or two under his belt he would or can turn out to be one of Arsene`s best signings. I like the guy for the sheer fact he dont give up, he seems proud to wear the red an white. LONG LIVE THE BEAST.
gunnerb
iceman10 - you CAN adapt, but you dont have to - i dont agree with it, but im not gonna say 'dont cry about the rain you fag' - i want reyes back and i want baptista to stay, but as a 3rd choice striker and heavily rotated - he would rather get first team action in a lower placed spanish side where he can do his 'flicks' and doesnt get beat down every game, and again train with the sun shining on his face - i love english football, its the best, i love the arsenal - but you work for 40 hours a week, if you were miserable for every minute you werent at work, wouldnt you want to change that?
bootoo
I wouldnt change it by moaning, I would simply get a new job? You Think my work life would improve if I moan to all and sundry about it? If he wants the sun and would rather be kicked by Ayala, Marchena etc instead of Faye, steven Taylor etc then fair play to him but I dont wanna hear about it.
iceman10
I must say that even though a lot of the comments above are very true I still very much like him. People expect him to make a mistake and almost will him to trip over himself (not just arsenal fans) so when even if very rarley he does do something well it seems all the more better. I think that he has bags of quality and he just doesn't suit this league. Just becuase players don't make it in the premiership it doesn't mean that they cannot be good. I don't blame him from getting away from England with people like Wayne walking the streets I think he is lucky to be getting away!
Arsenal1991
There's so much more he could enjoy in the Premiership. He could be spat at in the face by Diouf! Have his ankle broken by Dan Smith. Enjoy a light elbow to the face from Kevin Davies. For for a bit of fun he could perform the infamous invisible contact move, the one that seems to send Drogba, Robben, Joe Cole and Lampard triple somersaulting towards the floor and writhing around in agony every game. How much more fun could he have in one season 8-) In all honesty, I still want Baps to stay but when Titi and Robin get back, I can't see him sticking around just to sit on the bench.
flv
I think if he is here next year he will score goals, 9 in your 1st season (thus far) aint the worst return. Bobby Pires only scoted 7 (I think?) in his 1st season.
iceman10
*scored
iceman10
We have several americans, brits that come here in brazil and almost die because of our sun. And when i mean almost die, i mean get very very red , and complain alot. Baptista has slim chances at the National team, and very very slim chances at real madrid. No one likes a player that moans all the time (cough cough gallas) . You have to make a huge effort to adapt in england.
k_chelski
But you *
k_chelski
Baptista's being made scapegoat for a bad season. I'll bet if he goes back to Spain he'll go on to do well. Remember Diego Forlan? I hope we hold on to him.
d11gunner
the brazillians like the sun on their backs and rarely settle in england,arsenal have had a few and they tend not to stay too long.
springy
Brazillians like a Mach 4 too 8-) Sorry, I'll get me coat!
flv
Nick is just taking his wrath on baptista. It's understandable.
k_chelski
many players have struggled in england but done extremely well elsewhere such as Forlan, Kanoute and Sheva. I think the Beast will do very well next season if we can hold onto him.
Aussie Gooner
9 goals in your first season isn't bad at all. consider that 6 of them came in 2 games and it's not so good. I know he got 4 at Anfield, that in it's self is a great achievment but you need to be more consistant. I know it's tough to adapt to life in a new country, but moaning isn't the way to deal with it. I always say that the best way to deal with a bad situation is to do your best to turn it around, if people doubt you then fight even harder to prove them wrong. If he doesn't have enough time then he should see it as an oppertunity to improve his game, not a reason to moan. Football should never be about money, the weather, or location for porfessional footballers, it should be about the fans, the passion, the game. Mini rant over. And K_Chelski - It's not about taking anything out on anyone, it's about his comments, I can't stand people who whine and moan about a bad situation that they can remidy with a bit of hard work.
simmy8_2000
You will be Beast off in spain Baptista.
Goofle
Don't worry about it beast, the feeling is mutual
thenry009
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