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The prospect of Julio Baptista staying at Arsenal on a long-term basis appears to be receding following his scathing criticism of the English game.

Arsene Wenger is expected to make a decision over a permanent move for the forward at the end of the month, but given his remarks about life in England it would appear that the Brazilian will not be sorry to leave.

“The teams from the north of England are terrible,” Baptista 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.

“I could stay at Arsenal, but right now I can’t see myself anywhere for definite,” Baptista added.

“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.”

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