JULIO BAPTISTA is desperate for Arsene Wenger to sign him permanently. The Brazilian — nicknamed The Beast — is on loan at Arsenal from Real Madrid and boss Wenger has still to decide whether to take up an option on the attacking midfielder.With Jose Reyes on loan at the Bernabeu, and publicly stating he never wants to return to the Gunners, a swap deal appears the obvious solution. Baptista bagged both goals at Spurs in the 2-2 Carling Cup semi-final first-leg draw after an unfortunate own-goal.
Their fightback from 2-0 down made Arsenal favourites to reach the final — and boosted Baptista’s own cause into the bargain following his four goals in the quarter-final slaughtering of Liverpool.
Now the 25-year-old must prove he can make a name for himself in the Premiership. And Arsenal’s Spanish keeper Manuel Almunia knows how much Baptista wants to stay at the Emirates. He said: “Julio was unbelievable against Tottenham. He showed he is a good player and I’m sure he will soon show that in the Premier League.
“He is physically and mentally strong. When he started at Arsenal it wasn’t very easy for him. “But now he is happy here, starting to train well and is playing better. “He needs more chances in the league but with the players we have up front, it is difficult to get a place. “Julio is trying to speak English as soon as possible. He even tries to speak English with me. “Sometimes he speaks English to me and I say ‘Julio, you can speak Spanish to me’ but I understand he wants to learn. Julio wants to stay here because in Madrid he was not very happy.
"The decision is difficult because Jose is involved as well and Arsenal have to do a few things before Julio stays. But Jose is happy in Spain and Julio is happy here.”
Meanwhile Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that midfielder Alex Hleb has been ruled out of action for four weeks after suffering a hamstring injury. That is in addition to the loss of Robin van Persie, who broke a bone in his foot in Arsenal's victory over Manchester United on Sunday.