As much as we don't want to read it, hear it or even contemplate it the writing is on the wall for Hatem Ben Arfa this summer. It's looking ever more likely that the most naturally talented player to grace the turf at St James' Park since Peter Beardsley will depart for pastures anew after being ostracised by the very man that once compared him so admiringly to Argentine phenom Lionel Messi. However, should the inevitable happen and Ben Arfa bid au revoir to Newcastle, Alan Pardew won't be the first manager to sanction the sale of a player whose business remains unfinished on Tyneside. In fact the Gallic creator will join a coterie of past Magpies to have been cast off by the club in their prime if he finds himself under new employment next term. We believe there are 10 players preceding Ben Arfa that Newcastle have regretted selling in the Premier League era and should open the clubs eyes as to why they should keep hold of the eccentric Frenchman.
