I have to say, I don’t envy Alan Pardew’s role as manager at Newcastle United. He was recently rewarded for a season’s worth of good work with an eight year contract – an act of sheer lunacy from the Magpie’s top brass.
Not so bad, right? But who’s going to take the blame when it all goes tits up for Newcastle?
We may not be quite there yet, but things are looking rather ominous for Newcastle. Things have gone ‘belly up’, if not quite ‘tits up’.
Demba Ba’s release clause saw him jump ship and join Chelsea early in the January transfer window, Fabricio Coloccini is homesick and looking for a move away from St James Park, and now we’ve heard comments from Hatem Ben Arfa, where he is more or less batting his eyelids at other clubs.
After such a high last season, it’s amazing how this team has broken apart. The belief is all but gone, Pardew doesn’t seem to be able to motivate his troops and there’s certainly no sense of ‘togetherness’. In other words, there are certainly plenty of reasons to be glum.
Without Hatem Ben Arfa, the one player capable of providing a moment of magic, Newcastle will be in some real trouble. Speaking to Beln Sport (via Goal.com), the Frenchman said: “I am interested in Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Today, these clubs are above Newcastle. During the summer, there was contact with Chelsea. But I wanted to stay in Newcastle. When you’ve tasted England, it’s hard to go elsewhere. There is everything to make you happy here.”
Kind words about Newcastle, no doubt, but he’s not exactly being respectful to the club by listing the sides he’d like to join. I’m particularly interested to see that he’s intrigued by the prospect of joining Arsenal.
He’s a player that I’ve long-since thought would fit in nicely in an Arsene Wenger side. It goes way beyond his French nationality. He’s one of the most technically gifted players in the Premier League, plays with a real swagger and confidence, can beat his man with his smart feet, or a sensible pass.
He’s also pacey and quick on his toes. Aren’t these all qualities we’re used to ascribing to Arsenal players?
The only problem is his price-tag, but if Hatem Ben Arfa is willing to force the issue, he’d be a fantastic addition to this Arsenal side. The Gunners will have to break their transfer record, but I’d say it would be well worth it.
What’s your opinion? Would Hatem Ben Arfa be a good addition at Arsenal?
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Have you actually read the interview with Ben Arfa, or have you just quoted directly from other websites?
Why not. Pole who do you think Arsenal should sign reply please to my comment
Wrong – i’ve read a full translation of the interview, actually what happened was he had reaffirmed his desire to playe fpr newcastle as above and the interview asked of the following which clubs interest you – And Hatem simply asnwered yes or no to a list of clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool, PSG and Chelsea. Hardly a ‘come and get me plea’. get your facts straight
Harry Cloke
I have to say you need to read more into it before writing this article. Ben Arfa was mis quoted as saying they were better teams, in terms of league position – he did not say he would join them, he simply said they were doing better this year.
You need to re go over your sources, unless you intend to be as bad a writer as the rest of them.
this article just proves how little you know about football. It quite well documented the huge spat Ben Arfa and Abou Diaby had whilst at Clairefontaine. Those two would will never play for the same club, and as we know how highly wenger thinks of Diaby, you’ll never see this deal happen.
back to the drawing board