With Newcastle only having Shola Ameobi as an experienced striker in the squad last night, and manager Pardew not wanting to risk him on the artificial surface of Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, Ben Arfa was used as a striker for a some of the game last night, and most of the time he was the player in the most forward position for Newcastle.
Ben Arfa – the mercurial one in training
And considering that the Frenchman had been out for three months with his hamstring problems, we thought he did very well last night, and it will not take the lad lomg – he was 26 yesterday – to be fully fit and back in the groove again.
This is what Alan Pardew told Sky Sports today:
“Hatem lasted longer than I thought and did well given he is not fit.” “I have thought about using him there before because if I was a centre-back he is the last person I would want to see with the ball at his feet. And I would certainly consider it again.”
When Ben Arfa first came to the club in August of 2010 Chris Hughton wanted to play him as a second striker, where he could inflict the most damage on the opposition, and with his skill on the ball, he could put the ball into the net or set up some other chances in the penalty area.
Just like a certain Lionel Messi does at Barcelona, so it seems a decent proposition, but we wonder if he would be strong enough physically to do that laid back striker role?
But it’s certainly worth a try – and maybe even on Sunday against a beatable Stoke City side?
What do you think?
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22 comments so far
Pushy Pardew
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:20 AM
Comment #1If he were playing for Barca maybe. Interesting prospect when he’s fully fit against some of the slow CB’s in the PL.
outsidethebox
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:20 AM
Comment #2liked the effort from the 8 squad players last night .hairdrier anita and perch staked a first team claim last night .as mentioned in previous posts love to see hairdrier come on for gutti ..santon moved to wing and goofy alongside cisse.
Rainrix
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:21 AM
Comment #3Hm not sure on playing him as a 2nd striker. Especially with sissoko now who seems to fill that number 10 role fantastically. Really its an straight swap for jonas when he has a bit of fitness back.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:22 AM
Comment #4previous link
Pushy
I agreed he did not look fit – but is Cisse !!
Pushy Pardew
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Comment #5Pardew says so.
Charlie
Is Obertan as quick as Bale?
JackButler
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:26 AM
Comment #6Would love to see Sissoko drop back alongside Cabaye and Benny played as a proper No. 10 with a licence to roam behind Cisse (if he’s fit for Sunday that is) then have Gouffran and Marveuax down the side’s
Rainrix
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:26 AM
Comment #7Charlie… Its not like cisse isn’t match fit or out of shape, he is it just comes down to how well he’s feeling. If he can train today then chances are by sunday he’ll be well enough to start. Might be worth bringing him off early as he might not have the stamina to last but he should be fine
Pushy Pardew
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:26 AM
Comment #8Bale takes the short route . In a straight line. You almost need to resemble Obertan’s football brain or lack of it.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:26 AM
Comment #9rainrix
Ben arfa would be great number 10 I think but sissoko is also very good there. Ben arfa is better wide than sissoko so for me it has to be like you say.
sissoko – number 10
hba – wideman/wideforward
gets the best result for the team.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:29 AM
Comment #10pushy
I’m yet to see this blistering pace obertan has. He is no slouch but far from a walcott or even bale in my eyes.
And if he is that fast why can’t he ever just knock the ball past his man and chase it.
Rainrix
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Comment #11Sage… Or maybe the 2 of them could switch it up and swap positions every now and again. Its just i haven’t been overly impressed with HBA when ive seen him play as a number 10. Although that hasnt been much so i’ll keep an open mind
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:35 AM
Comment #12rainrix
Yeh I’m the same, never shone there but he can do it if needed…think he would be good if given a run of games there but having freedom to interchange with sissoko and gouffran is probably the way forward. They are all good players so just roam and see if they get better luck when they swap positions. (the same way ronaldo and bale now target the weakest defender not stick to a single position)
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:35 AM
Comment #13Pushy
Obertan as quick – Yeh in a straight line without the ball.
dannyboy
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:36 AM
Comment #14i think haidara and anita were very good last night, i like the way anita keeps the ball so well and keeps the game ticking, if tiote was playing last night im convinced we would have lost
haidara is a better left back that santon , a left backs 1st priority is to defend then attack , he seems to be able to do both , santon cant defend and isnt great at attacking as hes constantly cutting in
Rainrix
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:39 AM
Comment #15Sage… Sounds good, i think the front 3 (excluding cisse) are all capable of playing on both wings and through the middle. Even when sissoko drifts onto the wings he does well. Mixing it up between the 3 would be great.
Phatoon
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:40 AM
Comment #16Obertan is a special weapon to be used at certain times. I normally support him, but last night there were times when he got on my nerves. I thought he played well against Man Utd though.
Unless he changes, for me, he is best suited to bring on when we are defending a lead and need someone to leave on the halfway line for corners etc.
toonaids
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:44 AM
Comment #17could but shouldnt, absolutely appauling finishing, should have just smashed it, had plents of time.
toonaids
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:47 AM
Comment #18and obertan had a good positioning some good runs but seriously hes like a headless alien when it comes to passing, delivery, final product, absolutely appauling. thats all he needs to work on. he must get very frustrated
Peter Reid Monkey Heed
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Comment #19Any help here lads.
Visiting family in Newcastle next week and havent been to the Newcastle training ground in many a year. I always remember waiting outside afterwards and grabbing a few signatures back in the day!
Is anyone aware if they still do this in Benton? Or was it just a thing of the past?
rdb123
Mar 8, 2013 at 11:13 AM
Comment #20repost from previous thread did any one else think Ben Arfa looked overweight?
Something Clever
Mar 8, 2013 at 4:03 PM
Comment #21benny has been working out! pardew mentioned his upper body strenght recently. kiddo was lifting during his injury.
hope it doesn’t take away from the mercurial thing..
Ericles
Mar 9, 2013 at 6:43 AM
Comment #22A good idea. Does anybody on here remember what we used to refer to as a scoring inside forward? A position, either left or right, played beside or just behind that old fashioned role of centre-forward? Oh, and by the way, we had proper wingers in those days too.