There are reports suggesting today that Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa could be on his way to Arsenal this summer, if Theo Walcott decides to leave the London club.
Ben Arfa in action for France recently
It is thought that Theo may become disenchanted if Arsenal cannot keep hold of their top Dutch striker, Robin van Persie, which seems likely at the moment, with some top clubs already circling for the top striker, who turns 29 next month.
Leo’s contract at Arsenal runs out next summer, so if he does push for a move, Arsenal may want to sell him, otherwise they could lose him for nothing next summer, when he becomes a free agent.
So that’s some of the thinking in why Theo may leave the London club, and there have already been suggestions in the Guardian, that Arsene Wenger could then turn to Newcastle’s Ben Arfa as a replacement.
But Arsenal would not necessarily need another winger to replace Walcott, because they have a number of players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ryo Miyaichi and Ivorian Gervinho, who can play on the wing, as can brand new signing – German International Lukas Podolski.
The Mirror has already reported that Arsenal could be interested in Ben Arfa, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Wenger is indeed interested in the Newcastle winger, because after all – thee lad is a Frenchman.
Ben Arfa had a very tough time of things in his first season at Newcastle, and missed the majority of that first season with a double fracture of his left leg – that’s the good one.
But he came back in great style last season, and by January he had forced his way into Alan Pardew’s starting eleven, and he finished the season with a good 34 appearances and 7 great goals and 7 assists for the Magpies.
Every player has their price at Newcastle of course, and we paid around £5M for the lad when he arrived on a permanent basis from Marseilles in January of last year, while he was still recovering from his broken leg, which reflected well on the confidence Newcastle have in their winger.
And Ben Arfa got his place back in the French squad for Euro 2012, such was his good form for Newcastle this year, and it would take a very big offer for Mike Ashley to sell one of the most popular players he has on Tyneside.
So even if Arsenal are interested we think (maybe that should be hope), that Newcastle will not sell the mercurial Frenchman, because we need him to help us with our assault on a top four position next season.
We don’t think they will sell Ben Arfa this summer.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
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24 comments so far
Andymax
Jul 8, 2012 at 8:50 AM
Comment #1I don’t think we’ll sell anyone this window as nobody wants to move, unless there’s silly money offered for somebody. We do need a high profile signing though, and Debuchy would be fine.
brighter
Jul 8, 2012 at 8:50 AM
Comment #2Ba said that rumours are rumours.
davybtoon
Jul 8, 2012 at 8:55 AM
Comment #3Agree don’t think no one will leave n arsenal defo won’t pay what we want for hba
davybtoon
Jul 8, 2012 at 8:56 AM
Comment #4Magaluf today hopefully when I am bk when we’ve signed 2/3 players
ROSHAN MAGPIE
Jul 8, 2012 at 8:58 AM
Comment #5http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/07/08/3228017/newcastle-must-keep-ba-insists-cabaye
Belly
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:01 AM
Comment #6This is tosh, Arsenal might be in the champions league, but they have no real ambition, selling all their star players and letting contracts run down. Terrible organisation.
peaco1980
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:02 AM
Comment #7Already had a small squad at the start of Last season; have seen several more leave and only a couple come in. If we’re to compete on four fronts then selling players, before replacing the ones who have already left is not the way to go about it.
Toon_Downunder
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:03 AM
Comment #8Well its Sunday, was wondering when the usual 3o77ock$ was going to start being dragged out. Turns out even journalists take Sunday mornings off
davybtoon
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:05 AM
Comment #9Lads it’s Sunday don’t expect anything less from the scummy journos than to hav half our squad sold in the papers today
Andymax
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:08 AM
Comment #10@ #7
Totally agree, but at least we’re getting rid of the worst players. Now lets see some of the youth promoted and a few new faces, or we will struggle.
davybtoon
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:10 AM
Comment #11Why are some of u worrying about players coming ffs, they will b signed
davybtoon
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Comment #12IMO amalfitano, bigirimana n good for around 1m is looking great business plus got Tav on a new deal, n we ain’t even signed any first teamers yet so can’t wait to see who we bring in for that
Billythefish
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:15 AM
Comment #13The journalists and so called people in the know make up complete fabricated pish, when it comes to NUFC only a handful of people know what’s going to happen.
Don’t believe anything in the papers.
bills-son
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:28 AM
Comment #14There is as much chance of HBA being sold to Arsenal as there is of us signing Messi.
Ben Arfa is THE crown jewel in the squad. If he puts in a great season he could be worth £35M+ and there isn’t a chance in hell Arsenal will pay more than £10M for him now. Result? He’s going nowhere.
Journalists either don’t, or don’t want to, understand that MA doesn’t need the money + he’s hugely ambitious to win things at NUFC. Our top players are going nowhere because the price MA would take is far higher than clubs will pay. Simples.
darrenfletcher88
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:31 AM
Comment #15Good things come to those who wate, Ben afra will not leave!!!! Big season for us next season,25-1 for us to finish top 6 and cisse to be top scorer worth a 5a,
Graeme
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:48 AM
Comment #16The Arse wanting HBA is no different to me wanting Messi at SLP.
Its just not going to happen – Arsing Whinger just wont spend the sort of money MA would demand for HBA, just as we would never pay the money it would take to bring Messi here. Its a load of bovine excrement.
Lee Dodd
Jul 8, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Comment #17Its all media hype – AGAIN !!!!!!!!! Get Debouchy In This Week for Gawds Sake !!! And A New European Striker that all we need and we are set for the new season !!!!!!!
Ketsbaia9
Jul 8, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Comment #18Still can’t believe he signed for us in the first place. I wouldn’t accept anything less that £40m for Hatem. He is our most influential player.
Persian Geordie
Jul 8, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Comment #19Relax guy, HBA aint going anywhere.
dave 1961
Jul 8, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Comment #20davybtoon keep off the balcony’s in Magaluf too many have fallen this year, we cant afford to loose any fan’s, when you are about to go onto the balcony, think of what you will miss if you fall, have a good time and have a pint for me.
Incentino
Jul 8, 2012 at 10:37 AM
Comment #21Here’s how I look at it: if Ben Arfa stays, which I don’t doubt he will, signing Debuchy would be a mistake.
Debuchy is a modern right back – a wing back, and for being a defender, he’s very good at going forward. However, I’m not the least impressed by his ability to defend.
Newcastle cannot have two players on the right side that can’t defend. If Ben Arfa’s going to be the starting right winger, we need a fullback behind him that actually knows how to defind.
Nathaniel Clyne comes to mind.
Brutooon
Jul 8, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Comment #22hatem ben arfa is 20 times better than the OVERRATED Walcott
geordiejamie89
Jul 8, 2012 at 1:35 PM
Comment #23This is a page filling rumour. Not happening.
89Norcal
Jul 8, 2012 at 6:09 PM
Comment #24I think some of you are a little over-optimistic.
While Hatem has expressed his desire to play for NUFC, and I’m confident he’ll stay, he’s also expressed desire to play for a bigger club if the money’s right. Arsenal’s shaky foundation would probably prevent him going there, I’m just cautious about getting our hopes up. It’s not so simple, if a big CL club comes along with the cash and Hatem requests a transfer then it’s a whole other situation to deal with.
But like some of you said even if this was true, we have a few things in our favor: Arsenal’s troubled roster and MA’s shrewd transfer policies.
If Hatem leaves it won’t be to Arsenal