Geordie Weather A Problem For Arsenal Star

Last updated : 19 April 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Brazil international Baptista has described northern teams in England as "terrible" and claims the weather is "driving me to despair" while lamenting his inability to adapt to the pace of Premiership football.

Baptista initially struggled at Arsenal after joining in a loan swap deal which saw Jose Antonio Reyes going the other way.

'The Beast' had appeared to settle during the middle of the season but has indicated he will not be joining the Gunners permanently.

"I could stay at Arsenal, but right now I can't see myself anywhere for definite," he said.

"But it's clear in my mind that I would tackle my second chance with Real with far more strength and maturity than I did in my first spell."

The reasons for his dislike of England are varied.

"The teams from the north of England are terrible," he told The Times.

"When we play them I have counted their centre-backs booting up to 30 long balls upfield per game.

"The weather over here is killing me. We'll get one day of sunshine for every 30 days of rain, and it is driving me to despair.

"My girlfriend and my mother are frightened about not seeing the sun in England. They miss being in Madrid.

"Premiership football is very hard. I am Brazilian and I enjoy playing the ball, making clever touches and taking bicycle kicks. Arsene Wenger does not forbid me from doing them, but the game is so fast I don't even have time to think about them.

"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."

Let's all say "ahhhhh there ... poor little soldier".