Hatem Ben Arfa is one of the Premier League's most gifted players when in full flow. Anyone who has seen his goal against Bolton in the 2011-12 season will testify to that. For anyone who doesn't remember, a wonderful first touch in his own half saw him spin away from an initial challenge before leaving a further three defenders for dead and slotting it past the keeper. Only that outrageous banana shot from his teammate Papiss Cisse (remember when he could score?) was a worthy rival for goal of the season that year. Injury stalled his progress last term, as Newcastle slumped to a woeful 16th place, but Ben Arfa has shown flashes of brilliance this season - his performance at Aston Villa arguably proved the difference as Newcastle came away with all three points. Free from injury, and carrying proven match-winning ability - time for Ben Arfa to take the Premier League by storm? Not necessarily. As always at Newcastle, nothing is that simple, and here are some reasons why the Frenchman may soon be bidding Tyneside 'au revoir'.
8. Left Out For Chelsea And Tottenham Wins
A common saying in football is 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Alan Pardew certainly subscribes to this philosophy - in Newcastle's 5th place season, Ryan Taylor, a right-back, was keeping £5 million man Davide Santon out of the side on the opposite flank during an 11-match unbeaten start. Ben Arfa was benched for the Chelsea match after an unimpressive stint as first a false number nine then a left winger for the derby defeat at Sunderland. With the match poised at 0-0, Pardew was considering introducing the Frenchman before Gouffran struck from Cabaye's whipped delivery. Ecstasy for St James' Park may have come at a price for Ben Arfa, as Vurnon Anita, Papiss Cisse, and Gabriel Obertan all got pitch-time ahead of him. That 2-0 home success meant Pardew kept faith with the same line-up against Tottenham, and after Loic Remy opened the scoring for Newcastle, Ben Arfa was never likely to get a look-in, as Newcastle somehow managed to hold out, thanks to a career-best performance from Tim Krul. With Norwich next up at home, a team likely to sit back, will Pardew break the habit of a lifetime, and pick a side to suit the occasion? Or will Ben Arfa's frustration continue?
I am from Bangor, aged 24, and possess an MA in Journalism from The University Of Ulster. I have had work published in the Belfast Telegraph and interviewed several local footballers and Olympic athletes. I also run my own sports blog, 'Sporting Thought' in addition to contributing to What Culture.
