BAPTISTA FOCUSED ON TASK - WENGER
Arsene Wenger is in no doubt Julio Baptista will continue to give his all for Arsenal over the remainder of the season - even if his own future is in doubt.
The Brazilian, 25, is currently on loan from Real Madrid and is expected to feature for the Gunners at Everton on Sunday.
Wenger admits there are several factors to consider before a decision is taken on whether the move will be made permanent, most notably what happens with Jose Antonio Reyes, who is currently at the Bernabeu as part of the deal.
However, the commitment of Baptista is never in question according to the Arsenal manager.
"Julio is in the right frame of mind and he will work hard for the team, even if it damages his efficiency," said Wenger.
"He has a good spirit and, after Eindhoven, we are more concerned to get good results back than about individual performance.
"The future for Baptista depends on Real Madrid as well. It is linked [with Reyes]. He is injured at the moment with a knee problem. The season in Spain finishes later than us, so I do not know what they will decide.
"Jose wants to stay in Spain and Julio enjoys it very much with us.
"The passion, the spirit and the fact he plays in the team - he is very positive about his experience here."
Decisions must also be made on which players currently out on loan will be brought back to the Emirates Stadium - striker Nicklas Bendtner is doing well at promotion-chasing Birmingham - and also over veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, out of contract but said to have been offered terms for a move back to Germany.
Speculation over who may stay or leave is something Wenger faces on a daily basis.
Wenger said: "In the Italian newspapers they talk about Gilberto, the German newspapers talk about Lehmann, the Spanish newspapers talk about Baptista and the Swedish papers talk about Ljungberg.
"I simply can not control all that."
However, Wenger insists any reports about midfielder Gilberto, 30, moving to Juventus are wide of the mark.
"He is under contract, we have had no offer so the subject is closed," he added.
"Let him go to the end of his contract and then we will see - but we might well extend because he is an important player for us."
The Gunners have seen a promising campaign shattered in recent weeks with all hopes of silverware ended by defeat in the Carling Cup final and exits from both the FA Cup and Champions League. More
The Brazilian, 25, is currently on loan from Real Madrid and is expected to feature for the Gunners at Everton on Sunday.
Wenger admits there are several factors to consider before a decision is taken on whether the move will be made permanent, most notably what happens with Jose Antonio Reyes, who is currently at the Bernabeu as part of the deal.
However, the commitment of Baptista is never in question according to the Arsenal manager.
"Julio is in the right frame of mind and he will work hard for the team, even if it damages his efficiency," said Wenger.
"He has a good spirit and, after Eindhoven, we are more concerned to get good results back than about individual performance.
"The future for Baptista depends on Real Madrid as well. It is linked [with Reyes]. He is injured at the moment with a knee problem. The season in Spain finishes later than us, so I do not know what they will decide.
"Jose wants to stay in Spain and Julio enjoys it very much with us.
"The passion, the spirit and the fact he plays in the team - he is very positive about his experience here."
Decisions must also be made on which players currently out on loan will be brought back to the Emirates Stadium - striker Nicklas Bendtner is doing well at promotion-chasing Birmingham - and also over veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, out of contract but said to have been offered terms for a move back to Germany.
Speculation over who may stay or leave is something Wenger faces on a daily basis.
Wenger said: "In the Italian newspapers they talk about Gilberto, the German newspapers talk about Lehmann, the Spanish newspapers talk about Baptista and the Swedish papers talk about Ljungberg.
"I simply can not control all that."
However, Wenger insists any reports about midfielder Gilberto, 30, moving to Juventus are wide of the mark.
"He is under contract, we have had no offer so the subject is closed," he added.
"Let him go to the end of his contract and then we will see - but we might well extend because he is an important player for us."
The Gunners have seen a promising campaign shattered in recent weeks with all hopes of silverware ended by defeat in the Carling Cup final and exits from both the FA Cup and Champions League. More
posted by auto | 12:09 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home