"Julio is a very good player," the Frenchman was quoted as saying by The Sun.

Wenger has been a long-time admirer of Baptista as he tried to sign him last season from Sevilla but the Brazilian preferred to join Real Madrid instead.

In Real, Baptista didn't play regular football and, as a result, he lost his place in the national team that took part in the World Cup 2006.

"He's not played a lot of football and needs to be sharper and get some match fitness before he is ready to start games," Wenger said.

Arsenal landed Baptista in the off-season in a swap deal that saw Jose Antonio Reyes joins Real Madrid. Both players are on loan for one year.

Baptista has appeared for the Gunners three times all as a substitute and he has yet to open his scoring account.