Ben Arfa should be fit to play for Newcastle in a week or two, and it seems he is going to try to prove that his fine form earlier this year was no flash in the pan, as he tries once again to nail down a starting place in the Newcastle first team in the coming season.
Ben Arfa – in action at Hartlepool United
Ben Arfa improved a lot last season in his application to the game, and in the way he was willing to work much harder than he had been used to in France, but that’s what manager Alan Pardew demanded.
And of course Alan left the Frenchman in no doubt, that if he didn’t put in the work, he wouldn’t start in the first team – simple really.
But Ben Arfa got himself into a wee bit of trouble during the Euro 2012 Championships, and that’s the first time in two years since he’s been on Tyneside, that there has been any discipline problems with the lad, there’s been none at Newcastle, as far as we know.
One of Alan Pardew’s many talents he’s demonstrated since he first arrived at Newcastle in December of 2010, is that he handles big players very well, and Alan has handled Ben Arfa superbly since he’s been on Tyneside.
The Newcastle manager has today talked about his superb winger (I’ll not use that word mercurial this time) and says the 25 year-old is in a good place mentally:
“I have to say he’s in a great place mentally. The French experience, in terms of getting into the national team firstly, was a great one.” “The frustration of how it ended has kind of stiffened his resolve to show how good he is.”
“He’s that type. I would not say he is looking to prove people wrong. But because of the French media attention on him after that tournament, he was disappointed with that and felt it was probably unjust. I see him wanting to have a really big year for Newcastle.”
We have a feeling that the French media really played up his involvement in that upset in the French camp, and that was likely because of his prior reputation as a trouble-maker he picked up at his two previous clubs – Lyon and Marseilles.
And Ben Arfa is adored on Tyneside, and that will help him, and everybody likes to have a little bit of hero worship – I know I do – I just didn’t get any. 
We have to think that Ben Arfa will continue on his way to becoming a mature person and a mature player this season, and under Alan pardew’s guidance, that is definitely possible.
What do you think?
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14 responses so far ↓
1 ilovetoon8788 // Aug 18, 2012 at 9:25 AM
yea so Saylor and Marvauex will be like a new signing.
lets say we have defensive injuries. and we are playing manchester united.
Rooney = Hernandez = Van Persie
against
Perch = Williamson
lolololol.
2 Toon_Fresh // Aug 18, 2012 at 9:30 AM
@ ilovetoon8788
Both Williamson and Perch played in the 3-0 win at home last year
3 Marty-Toon // Aug 18, 2012 at 9:32 AM
Who’s the best signing by any club in this transfer window?
If he plays like he did last year I reckon Van Persie.
Brilliant player but a real idiot attitude
I for one hated seeing him in a Utd shirt,nearly puked!!
4 WWYCD // Aug 18, 2012 at 9:33 AM
Dawson and Huddlestone out of our match this afternoon according to the Mail imagine their defence will be
Walker Kaboul Vertonghen Afro
Lots of pace there but high line AVB could catch even them out
5 Dannyo // Aug 18, 2012 at 9:38 AM
Jonas the Grafter
Shola the Mackemslayer
Tiote Steel
Cabaye the Dreamboat
Ben Arfa the Mercurial
King Krul
Double Dembas
Anyone else?
6 hatem or love him // Aug 18, 2012 at 9:41 AM
Perch is class so don’t be slaying the slayer because you’ll only embarrass yourself. Can’t wait for kick off now! Come on you Geordie’s
Wish Marveaux starts.
7 quitesimple // Aug 18, 2012 at 9:48 AM
Anita will start today I think. also I dont know if anyone knows but in Holland he is known as the man of steel
8 scdoty // Aug 18, 2012 at 9:49 AM
IIlovetoon8788
You could always just support the lads. And you made a bit of a mug of yourself with that last post.
HWTL
9 GeordieToon89 // Aug 18, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Sky sports are saying be cisse ben arfa and cabaye will all face late fitness tests
10 southafricantoon // Aug 18, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Marvelous Marvaux !!
11 ArtyH // Aug 18, 2012 at 10:22 AM
Its going to be a 3-0 win for the toon today.
12 jesperfuglsang // Aug 18, 2012 at 10:48 AM
My favorite player without a shadow of a doubt
13 Rotonda heights // Aug 18, 2012 at 12:21 PM
artyh
please don’t say things like that!!!
14 davo // Aug 18, 2012 at 1:11 PM
I can’t think of a more exciting player to watch in the whole league, except perhaps Cisse!
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