Hatem Ben Arfa made some surprising comments a few days ago, when he said he would only leave Newcastle if a bigger club came along who really wanted him.
Ben Arfa – in action for France recently
That point about really wanting him, was probably made because the 25 year-old knows he’s very much wanted at Newcastle, and the club stood by the Frenchman, when he suffered that terrible double fracture of his left leg in October of 2010 – and so did the fans.
In fact Newcastle signed Ben Arfa in January of 2011, when he was still recovering for the awful injury, and the Tyneside club have continued to receive warm praise from the French media, for the expert way they have handled their French players on Tyneside.
The Newcastle winger should be in action tonight when the first game of Group D, England vs France gets under way in the Donbass Arena, in Donetsk in the Ukraine. Maybe Yohan Cabaye and Ben Arfa will have off games tonight?
Ben Arfa has regained his place in the French squad due to some outstanding play in the black and white shirt for Newcastle since the turn of the year, and it seems like the French International is looking forward to playing with Newcastle next season:
“I’m happy where I am. I don’t take much notice of speculation. Other players thrive on that but I just prefer to concentrate on playing for Newcastle.” “We surprised a few people last season.”
“Naturally there was disappointment that we failed to secure a place in the Champions League and now have to settle for playing in the Europa League instead.” “But we fought for a place in the CL until the death — it wasn’t for a lack of trying.”
“And this team will get better. If we can strengthen the squad over the summer there is no reason why we shouldn’t be challenging for Champions League football next season.”
“And there is no shame finishing above a club like Chelsea in the Premier League — they won the Champions League.”
It would be simply great if Newcastle can challenge again at the top of the Premier League next season, and a lot will depend on whether we can keep our top players on Tyneside this summer, and also bring in four or five other top players to improve the squad.
If we can do that we could surprise ourselves again next season, and wouldn’t that be something.
Comments welcome.
10 comments so far
wor geordie
Jun 11, 2012 at 8:32 AM
Comment #1if he’s happy here then cool….good to hear that he isn’t easily swayed by speculations…also the club has stood by him before..i guess he owes us a bit too…
Beattie25
Jun 11, 2012 at 8:37 AM
Comment #2Exactly Ben Arfa that’s what I think too.
When I was younger I had massive delusions of grandeur and always thought we’d win the leaugeband over time I have learnt to dampen expectations and live more in reality.
Last year I thought top 10 but seeing the players gel and the quality they offer I honestly think without any favouritism that we could push top 4 next season.
The key to this though is strengthening! With that I don’t mean selling 1 and buying 2. I mean keeping our best andaling additions. If we keep the spine and add more quality we will have one of the best starting 11’s in the PL. There is no delusion here, but I also understand that that is a way away yet as we never know if we will strengthen or not.
We know Chelski, Citeh & Man Ure will massively strengthen so it’s up to us to make few first team signings and extra additions.
If not then it may be another decade before we are in a position like this again.
graham cwarr
Jun 11, 2012 at 8:39 AM
Comment #3I see benny talking about having a better attitude and having grown up on tyneside (this year not as a child). It shows. The way he handles himself with the media is second to none. He answers questions as honestly as he can and sensibly too. He seems really happy here.
What i do like is that he’s telling us he will only leave if he’s going to be used right at another club. If he likes the coach and if he has confidence in the team.
It’ll be hard to prise benny away from us.
graham cwarr
Jun 11, 2012 at 9:09 AM
Comment #4Dead blog this morning
JDdubai
Jun 11, 2012 at 9:09 AM
Comment #5Not being a neggar but i really think Europa League will make it tough to sustain a run for the top 4 without quality cover in all positions. Its all down to Pards and Mike to get us in a position to make a run at it, time will tell…………………
Colo-Sus
Jun 11, 2012 at 9:15 AM
Comment #6@Beattie
Lol
graham cwarr
Jun 11, 2012 at 9:25 AM
Comment #7@jdubai even with extra cover it’ll ne hard to sustain a league push while in Europe.
GeordieToon89
Jun 11, 2012 at 9:28 AM
Comment #8He also said he would only leave newcastle if it was for a once in a lifetime offer other than that he wants to stay here and is thankfull for everything weve done, he also has good words about Chris Hughton so i can see them two having a little moment when we play Norwich
wor geordie
Jun 11, 2012 at 9:28 AM
Comment #9consistency…thats what we need. spurs are regarded as a ‘bigger’ club than us is due to their consistency.their last win was a league cup in 2008. before that any major win was in 1999. but since 05-06 they have managed to hold their place in 5th, 5th, 11th (juande ramos era), 8th, 4th, 5th and now 4th again.thats what we need to do and be.consistant. blackburn won the league back in 94-95 but they never have been cosidered a ‘big’ club due to their lack of consistency. Ed, you’re right. we need to keep our top players and get new ones too.lets hope we are as lucky as we were in getting the perfect players we did last season.
AsprillaCartWheels
Jun 11, 2012 at 9:30 AM
Comment #10http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/newcastle-united/9322904/Police-called-to-wedding-of-ex-Newcastle-player-Danny-Guthrie-over-stately-home-brawl.html