With the bad news on the injury front on both Andy Carroll and Dan Gosling this morning, there’s some decent news on Hatem Ben Arfa.
Ben Arfa – returns to Newcastle for Arsenal game
With all the positive reports going around in the last two days on Newcastle’s top French International Ben Arfa, the Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has said the club plan to have Ben Arfa back on Tyneside for the Arsenal game.
And that will be a nice time for Newcastle to maybe get the league double over the London team this season?
“We’re hearing really good reports about him but our medical team need to be sure. We have to be careful that we protect the player,”
With Dan Gosling breaking down on his return from a long term injury, the very last thing we want is to see Ben Arfa rushed back in any way.
But he won’t be, and there’s no real reason to rush him back, just as long as we can keep getting those points to ensure we stay above the relegation fray this season.
And a thought for next season – Newcastle should play their first team in the Carling Cup.
That has to be the only reason two Premier League sides fighting relegation – West Ham and Birmingham – made it to the semi-finals this year, when lots of the other PL sides were playing weakened sides in the competition.
Even Arsenal played only half their second side when they beat Newcastle 4-0 – but we played our full second team, and it was half the Arsenal first team that played in that game, that did us in.
Of course West Ham and Birmingham would say they were playing a weakened side – it just happens it was their best side – ouch! – sorry about that.
The Carling Cup is the easiest trophy to win in England, but we would take it!
Let’s hope there are no West Ham or Birmingham fans reading this – otherwise I’m in big trouble.
Anyway it’s good news that Ben Arfa will be back in Newcastle a week on Saturday. 😀
Comments welcome.
11 comments so far
G
Jan 27, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Comment #1Looking forward to seeing him on the pitch again. Welcome back mate.
dave 1961
Jan 27, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Comment #2I don’t trust the clueless Pardew, if there’s a way to make an a**e of something Pardew will find it.
skutball1892
Jan 27, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Comment #3Can’t wait to see him play, don’t want him rushed though.
NUFC_Richyg01
Jan 27, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Comment #4Just dont rush him back like Gosling.
We want him back at 100%, not 75% and crocked after 140mins play!
Davies
Jan 27, 2011 at 11:17 AM
Comment #5The Carling Cup is the easiest to win?
Really?
Okay. I’ll take two.
Marty-Toon
Jan 27, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Comment #66 th lol
expatgeordie
Jan 27, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Comment #7Juist seen that Sky are looking to replace Andy Gray with Neville another good reason to get rid of Sky. They’ve replaced on self opinionated prat with another.
expatgeordie
Jan 27, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Comment #8How long is Gosling going to be out anyone know?
lewman
Jan 27, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Comment #9not another man u supporter on sky, gary neville aswell, hes annoying as well, you might as well get jamie carraghar in with him so we all turn the sound down
MT
Jan 27, 2011 at 1:48 PM
Comment #10good news
Lynxie
Jan 27, 2011 at 2:10 PM
Comment #11Davies LOL