Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Beast eyes permanent deal

24 Sep 2006 - 13:18:47

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Julio Baptista is keen to make his loan switch from Real Madrid to Arsenal permanent and says he is enjoying life in the Premiership.

The Brazil international, who is nicknamed The Beast, moved to the Emirates Stadium on transfer deadline day on a season-long loan deal that saw Jose Antonio Reyes move in the opposite direction.

"I am not at Arsenal simply for the loan period," the 25-year-old told the News of the World.

"I feel that my future is here and I want to show that The Beast can triumph in England.

"One of my big motives in joining Arsenal was to repeat the success they had in Europe last season."

Baptista is still to make his first start for the Gunners but has made four appearances from the substitute's bench, including Saturday's 3-0 win against Sheffield United.