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Gunners send the Beast packing
Julio Baptista has revealed he will return to Real Madrid this summer after confirming Arsenal do not want to make his loan move permanent.
The 25-year-old Brazil international was on loan from Real Madrid, with Jose Antonio Reyes going the other way, and had his advisors in London towards the end of the season to discuss his future with the Gunners.
"Arsenal have told me they are not able to buy me and so all I can do is return to Real Madrid," he said in Spanish newspaper Marca.
"I have enjoyed my season with Arsenal and in England. I adapted well. I didn't play much at first but finished much better."
Part of Baptista's problem was holding down a regular position, his versatility meaning he could play as a defensive midfielder up to the forwards.
Baptista is known as 'The Beast' for his imposing physical presence but was also nicknamed 'Batigol' for his goalscoring form for Sevilla before signing for Madrid.
He got into double figures for Arsenal but six of those goals came in the Carling Cup, and he did not make the same impact in the Premiership. He also revealed recently that he struggled with the English weather.
Baptista's return would improve the chances of Theo Walcott establishing himself in Arsene Wenger's starting XI, with the 18-year-old back in training following his shoulder operation.
"I will be fully fit for the new season, as long as I have a good pre-season and don't pick up any injuries. I'll be raring to go," Walcott told the club's website.
Walcott, who will miss out on the European Championships with England Under-21s next month, will return two weeks earlier than the rest of the squad to start pre-season training.
Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry will also return early.
The 25-year-old Brazil international was on loan from Real Madrid, with Jose Antonio Reyes going the other way, and had his advisors in London towards the end of the season to discuss his future with the Gunners.
"Arsenal have told me they are not able to buy me and so all I can do is return to Real Madrid," he said in Spanish newspaper Marca.
"I have enjoyed my season with Arsenal and in England. I adapted well. I didn't play much at first but finished much better."
Part of Baptista's problem was holding down a regular position, his versatility meaning he could play as a defensive midfielder up to the forwards.
Baptista is known as 'The Beast' for his imposing physical presence but was also nicknamed 'Batigol' for his goalscoring form for Sevilla before signing for Madrid.
He got into double figures for Arsenal but six of those goals came in the Carling Cup, and he did not make the same impact in the Premiership. He also revealed recently that he struggled with the English weather.
Baptista's return would improve the chances of Theo Walcott establishing himself in Arsene Wenger's starting XI, with the 18-year-old back in training following his shoulder operation.
"I will be fully fit for the new season, as long as I have a good pre-season and don't pick up any injuries. I'll be raring to go," Walcott told the club's website.
Walcott, who will miss out on the European Championships with England Under-21s next month, will return two weeks earlier than the rest of the squad to start pre-season training.
Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry will also return early.
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