10 Newcastle Players Who Became Legends In One Moment

6. Ben Arfa's Wave

It wasn't that brilliant solo goal that turned Ben Arfa into a hero for Newcastle fans - he'd already arrived by then - and it wasn't when he hit that screamer of a first goal against Everton; that was just a taster on the way to adoration. The moment that really made Ben Arfa a legend - and the reason fans would go on to forgive him for being anonymous in some games, and looking unfit in others - was when Nigel De Jong crashed into him horribly and broke his leg, because he simply didn't have the subtelty to deal with his mercurial skill. Ben Arfa was down for way too long, fans grew increasingly restless and then the worst was all but confirmed by a leg splint and oxygen. But in between his pain and gulps of oxygen, the Frenchman turned to the Newcastle fans at the other end of the pitch and waved his appreciation for the support. That was why he became a darling, and why fans who wanted more from him would never quite understand his appeal.