A lot of Newcastle United fans have responded to a poll put out by the Evening Chronicle asking fans who their favourite French player for Newcastle was.
The responses are wide and varied, though, there are three clear favourites.
Who is your favourite Frenchman to play for Newcastle?
Ben Arfa
Robert
Ginola
One fan stated that all three players were beautiful.
@chrishann25 they’re all so beautiful
— Callum (@CallumAllsopp) December 19, 2019
Many Newcastle fans believe that David Ginola was the best.
We’ve had some French superstars but for me, it’s gotta be GINOLA…. #pureclass #toonarmy #nufc
— Expat Toneeee (@toneeee17) December 19, 2019
Ginola, closely followed by Robert. What memories!! ?
— Anthony Moyle (@Moyle492Moyle) December 19, 2019
Ginola everyday of the week. The man was class!
— daniel roche (@rocheyd44) December 19, 2019
Other Toon supporters, though, think that Laurent Robert was the best.
Robert- by a mile.
— Mick Mahoney Supa Goalie… (@derwent1) December 19, 2019
Laurent Robert all day long!
— Alfie Younger (@alfie_younger) December 19, 2019
Laurent, Laurent Robert, everybody knows his name. What a player ?
— Andrew Watson (@Poet_or_a_fool) December 19, 2019
Finally, some Magpies fans rate Hatem Ben Arfa as the best Frenchman to have played for Newcastle.
Difficult to go past Ginola but Ben Arfa was incredible on his day. Cabaye was fairly consistent but the nature of his departure leaves a slight bitter taste in the mouth.
— Andrew McVittie (@Andrew_McVittie) December 19, 2019
Ben Arfa baller ?
— Jack ? (@jack_ruthers) December 19, 2019
Never mind Frenchman, Ben Arfa is my favourite human being.
— The Irish Guy (@the_irishguy) December 19, 2019
What do we think?
Newcastle have had some special Frenchman play for them over the years, including Yohan Cabaye, but Robert, Ginola and Ben Arfa were undoubtedly the best.
All three scored some extraordinary goals and provided sublime moments of individual skill.
All three seemed to fall in love with Tyneside, and the St James’ Park faithful and all three also left in bad circumstances as relationships with managers deteriorated.
It is hard to choose who was the best out of these three as all of them played for the club in different generations, but Ginola, Robert, and Ben Arfa brought some flair to Newcastle that many of their fans will never forget.
For that, all three deserve to be remembered for their achievements.