Newcastle fans had a double whammy this afternoon, because not only did they lose a close game at Manchester City by 2-1, but it looks like their star winger Hatem Ben Arfa may have suffered a broken leg and could be out for months.
Ben Arfa – got his injury after just 2 minutes in the game today
Ben Arfa, 23, went down under a strong challenge in the first few minutes of the game at Eastlands today, when he was tackled by City’s Nigel DeJong. The game was held up for 5 minutes as he was attended to, and was seen to be given oxygen on the field.
Ben Arfa was immediately taken to hospital and we are still awaiting the official news on the injury, but it doesn’t look good.
Ben Arfa was making only his third appearance for the Magpies after signing on loan for the season from Marseilles in August, and had scored a fantastic goal to win the game at Everton, and had already become a firm fan favorite on Tyneside.
Indeed, as we being stretchered off he received a warm ovation from the Newcastle fans, and Ben Arfa was seen to wave his acknowledgement to the fans.
Hatem Ben Arfa waves to fans as he is stretchered off this afternoon
This is another cruel blow for Newcastle, who have already lost veteran goalkeeper Steve Harper for 12 weeks at Everton a few weeks back to a shoulder injury.
Comments welcome.
63 comments so far
Billy Magpie
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:26 PM
Comment #1Anyone who watched the dire quality ESPN broadcast would have heard a mighty crack as the assault was committed.
This will not be good, at all.
G 2
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:30 PM
Comment #2I hope someone ends De Jongs Career and also that scum bag at Wolves.
korn8
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:30 PM
Comment #3Keeping my fingers crossed about HBA.
What a day: two wrong penalty decisions, a horrific challenge by De Jong(not even a FK), two injuries(Colo & HBA) and a late goal by a Newcastle fan.
Is it true that Newcastle Utd are a cursed club? Just a couple of weeks ago most things looked bright, what now?
We need a win against Wigan and i suppose the lads really needs the toon army now!
GeordieGerman
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:33 PM
Comment #4This is a massive blow to us. But one question. We have the option to buy after 25 games. Does that continue into next season?
Hugh Jorgan
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:34 PM
Comment #5A game of dreadful decisions by the referee.
A penalty given to MUFC which should not have been.
A disallowed penalty to NUFC which certainly should have been.
As for De Jong’s tackle breaking Ben Arfa’s leg … make your own mind up !
arcarius
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Comment #6Get well soon
Was looking forward to see the difference that it would have been between Arfa and Routledge
korn8
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Comment #7Money can`t buy you love, but it sure as h*l* can buy you referees…
GeordieGerman
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:37 PM
Comment #8Hugh Jorgan, MUFC? Were you watching a repeat from 16 August?
Hugh Jorgan
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:38 PM
Comment #9Newcastle did however, play a great game today.
We should be pleased with our team.
alex84
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:39 PM
Comment #10the ref was paid by the city owner for sure.
plus thinking about it mancini watched arfa at the everton game and saw that he was a massive threat so probably said to his team to go through arfa!!
Billy Magpie
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:39 PM
Comment #11Why do pundits constantly defend these leg breakers? We are constantly told there is no intent, I bet that excuse wouldn’t wash if I got pissed jumped in a car a killed someone.
Hugh Jorgan
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:40 PM
Comment #12Oh sh8t,
I should have typed MCFC,
SORRY Geordie German.
I’m not perfect after all
GeordieGerman
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:42 PM
Comment #13Hugh Jorgan, me either mate and I know that the u and c are very close together on the keyboard.
arcarius
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:44 PM
Comment #14@alex84
wicked thinking really but it looks very much like it!
after that two footed challenge, that thug didnt reproduce anything similar to our players
conspiracy much?!
Bucks mag
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:46 PM
Comment #15I can’t believe the Ben Arfa thing. I’m just depressed.
Tom4Nufc
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:48 PM
Comment #16Bucks mag, I echo your thoughts completely!
alex84
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:49 PM
Comment #17i no, he didnt do it to anyone else…well he tried it with tiote and tiote almost killed him, which i wish he had, i watched it with a villa fan,liverpool and spurs fan and they all said we were screwed over completley wit the ref and wht de jong did, credit to our boys tho coz we derserved at least a point
Moreno
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Comment #18The FA should start taking disciplinary action against refs for decisions like this. He didn’t look at his linesman who had a much better view of it before making the decision.
Last week in the SPL, a penalty was given for Kilmarnock, the linesman flagged, called the ref over and told him he had a clear view and the ref got it wrong. Penalty was over-ruled and free kick given.
What is the point in the referee having assistants? Unfortunately I think refs nowadays play God and get a power hard on. They are increasingly becoming the most important men on the pitch which is just wrong.
macn0ble (Finland)
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Comment #19What we need is 2 good wins against Wigan & West Ham. Both matches are winnable and could boost the NUFC camp before the Gunners Cup match.
alex84
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Comment #20when is it likely we will find out about how serious the injury is for arfa? can we not just buy him anyway????
Hugh Jorgan
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Comment #21Geordie German
Don’t we all know
C U N and T are very close with everyhing to do with scumchester ?
Tom4Nufc
Oct 3, 2010 at 4:57 PM
Comment #22Alex, if its a break we should know very soon… How long does an X-Ray take? If its ligaments, then it could be a few days longer!
balubas1
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Comment #23It MIGHT be the end of Ben Arfa’s career.. I’m so disgusted with De Jong and the REF.
And I am proud of our team!
!!!!!! TIOTE !!!!!!!
Hawaiian Geordie
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Comment #24well put hugh
tom’s right, no news yet bodes slightly better
Whitecap
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:02 PM
Comment #25If it’s just a fractured tibia I think we could see HBA playing in the new year. Looked to me like there was significant ligament damage to his knee which could keep him out the season. But I’m no doctor.
He was a good signing by CH, despite 2 million pounds for only 3 games.
alex84
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Comment #26i aint that religious but i am prayin prayin prayin!!
GeordieGerman
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Comment #27Can any one answer my original Question@ 4?
brighter
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:07 PM
Comment #28ref absolutely shit!!!why didnt giving at least yellow? that faul should completely vicious.
Hawaiian Geordie
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:12 PM
Comment #29german, as i recall we have to buy him after 25; up to that point, i believe we have first option at the predetermined price
GeordieGerman
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:17 PM
Comment #30Hawaiian Geordie, which means, if Ben Arfa is unavailable for the rest of the season, the 25 game option continues into next season?
alex84
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:18 PM
Comment #31geordie german…i really hope so.
Billy Magpie
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:18 PM
Comment #32http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93eQZ_#FSvBF^RbkJE
Watch this through, disgraceful challenge, indefensible.
GeordieToon89
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:18 PM
Comment #33german.. it doesnt carry on into next season unless we try and do a similar deal due to whats happened but i think hes already did enough to merit a contract and a think we’l sign him either way tbh..im hopin this isnt as bad as feared although doesnt seem to good at the moment
Billy Magpie
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:20 PM
Comment #34^
copy the whole link and paste into YOUTUBE.
toon95
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:20 PM
Comment #35really hoping that tackle hasn’t ruined arfa’s career a lot of players that have similar injuries are never the same again. 🙁
Jose_Horny_Enrique
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Comment #36why is it always newcaslte who get the bad luck? it really is a piss take.
colwell
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:30 PM
Comment #37I`m a bit lost ben arfa went to hospital around 3 hours ago why has there been no news yet surely on his arrival they could see a break in his leg so why no news?
im crossing everything i can that maybe it was his shin pad that snapped plzplzplzplz pretty plz
Jose_Horny_Enrique
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:37 PM
Comment #38@colwell. all i’ve heard is that he’s fractured his leg 🙁
pearceet
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Comment #39just hearing the post match interview CH said broken leg
Spuggy
Oct 3, 2010 at 5:43 PM
Comment #40Perfect appraisal of the match by hughton as usual…..http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9040924.stm
Gutted for two reasons:
1) Arfa’s prob out for the season. Hughton said it looks like a break. I thought he was the final piece of the jigsaw and had high hopes once we gel’d.
2) We were robbed by 2 very bad decisions. Should have had at least a draw.
However…
We played well away at City. Tiote is a fantasic player. Sol is clearly still more than capable at this level. We have a great set of youngsters coming through.
Still depressed though.