Newcastle United - Hatem Ben Arfa
Though life as an Arsenal fan provides ups and downs, not many clubs experience the range of emotions in a season as Newcastle United. They can be a very good side one season, and the next be battling at the foot of the table. They have finished runners-up in the race for the title, and been relegated on the final day of the season. The only thing predictable about Newcastle is that they will be unpredictable. The main goal of their season will be certainly to improve on their fortunes from last year and hopefully break back into the top half of the table, which will perhaps be an easier task without the distraction of European football, which seemed to add strain to an already heavily stretched side. Throughout the Newcastle side their is an undeniable quality and skill, especially from the French contingent that they brought to the club in January. Players like Moussa Sissoko and Yoan Gouffran will improve after six months experience under their belts, and will hopefully be able to benefit the Magpies alongside established stars such as Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse, whose injuries and drop in form cost the club at the back end of last season. The acquisition of Loic Remy to the strike force will likely add a goal threat to the side that had been missing since Demba Ba left for Chelsea, and that will boost their chances of reaching the top eight in the league standings. However, the depth of the squad will remain an issue considering the amount of injuries they suffered last season, and if that happens again, they could see the squad tumble down the table. One player that needs a full, uninterrupted season for Newcastle to be successful is Hatem Ben Arfa. Another one of their French players, he has all the tricks and tools necessary to have a significant impact on the upcoming campaign. A mazy dribbler, good passer and finisher, he has yet to set the Premier League alight due to the lack of appearances he has made, and that is all down to his fitness. Even with his lack of playing time, I feel it is incredibly important that the club has managed to retain the services of Ben Arfa, who certainly has the potential to play at the highest level, and alongside Yohan Cabaye is the player that connects Newcastle to the top sides in the division. He has a degree of quality that the rest in his squad with the exception of Cabaye can't quite muster. To have a more significant season he will have to improve his goalscoring as well as increase his time on the pitch, and if he is able to play as full a season as possible he will certainly be a difference maker in Newcastle's games with other clubs battling into the top half of the division.
Where will they finish? - 9th