Julio Baptista was scheduled to emerge from the ranks of Arsenal undertstudies by starting in yesterday's Premier League match away to Sheffield United after Gunners manager Arsene Wenger revealed a lengthy injury list.
Alexander Hleb and Theo Walcott were to join Boxing Day casualties Emmanuel Adebayor and Johan Djourou on the sidelines along with the previously injured Thierry Henry, William Gallas, Emmanuel Eboue, Freddie Ljungberg and Abou Diaby.
Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas, Jeremie Aliadiere and Alexandre Song have all been hit by a virus, although the trio have remained in a squad that also includes the fit-again Lauren and Baptista's fellow Brazilian Denilson.
PHOTO: AFP
Baptista, 25, has also been laid low by the same bug, but he has received a boost after being picked by Wenger for only third time since his pre-season loan move from Real Madrid.
"He will start in midfield or up front, I haven't decided yet," Wenger said on Friday. "He doesn't get many chances because there is a lot of competition going on with [Tomas] Rosicky, Hleb and Fabregas, all offensive players like Henry, Adebayor and [Robin] van Persie."
"He is ready to play but the problem he has is for me to give him the number of opportunities he deserves. He has a great attitude and is very strong mentally," Wenger said.
Baptista, who spent six weeks on the sidelines in October after suffering an injury in a friendly against Charlton reserves, is reported to have voiced concerns that a lack of first-team football is threatening his hopes of a permanent move.
Wenger indicated he was on his way to making up his mind but coyly refused to say whether he was keener on Baptista leaving or staying with Arsenal.
"I am leaning more one way than the other," the Frenchman said. "But I will not say which way."
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