When Newcastle United signed Ben Arfa in the summer of 2010, initially on loan for a year from Marseilles, it was always a high risk signing, because of Ben Arfa’s tendency to get into arguments with his managers.
Ben Arfa in action for Hull this season
He had just fallen out with Marseilles manager Didier Deschamps, who is now the manager of the National team.
For the first three years or so things went quite well, in fact very well, and Ben Arfa scored some sensational goals for the club.
When Yohan Cabaye left the club last January, it looked like it was a big chance for Ben Arfa to start playing in the number 10 role.
But that didn’t work out, and Ben Arfa ended up arguing with the manager at least twice in the dressing room after Newcastle were on a terrible run of results.
Ben Arfa didn’t play again for the first team and this season he was relegated to training with the U21 side, and in late August he was told that he had no future at Newcastle by Alan Pardew.
Then in late August Hull City moved in and took him on loan on the last day of the summer transfer window – but it looks like Ben Arfa will not play again for Hull, and his loan deal will soon be officially ended.
This is what Hull manager Steve Bruce said yesterday:
“Sometimes transfers work out and sometimes they don’t.” “It’s fair to say with Ben Arfa that I can’t see there being a future. It’s a team and you’ve got to reform and come into the team.”
“Unfortunately he wants to do things his way, which is fair enough, so unless he changes.” “I’ll treat him like any other player.”
“There’s been no fall-out, he’s been omitted from the squad because when you’re up against it you need to show a bit of resilience. Unfortunately Hatem sees it differently.”
“It’s a shame because we were excited to get him on deadline day, but in three or four months it hasn’t happened.”
Ben Arfa is a wonderfully gifted player, but in any high level and demanding job, you must have the discipline and control to go with the skills you have.
Unfortunately Ben Arfa doesn’t seem to have sufficient discipline, and we would expect the Frenchman to get linked up with another club next month, and Newcastle could end his contract to make him a free agent.
Alan Pardew said the obvious today when asked about Ben Arfa:
“He won’t be coming back here, that is all I can say.”
That should come as no surprise to Newcastle fans after what had happened this year, and it seems Steve Bruce has also given up on the talented French International.
We hope Ben Arfa can resurrect his career elsewhere – maybe back in France.
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8 comments so far
70TWO
Dec 16, 2014 at 2:01 PM
Comment #1Ibizatoon
Hopefully the more negativity I can produce the greater a pleasure it will be when I am proved wrong. Unfortunately the only consistent thing about NUFC is that AP will mess up.
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 16, 2014 at 2:04 PM
Comment #2Good to see the dispute with the local media over with. Hopefully we can stop seeing all the pointless ‘5 things’ articles that they have been doling out and we can get back to the previous ‘high quality’ journalism that they are renowned for…
On MYM, I don’t think it was ever in doubt that he would be off either in Jan or next summer. As for this story, it is a shame that Hatem can’t seem to get it right anywhere. I wonder who will come in for him, let’s face it, nobody was breaking doors down to try and sign him.
optimistic prime
Dec 16, 2014 at 2:04 PM
Comment #3On the local papers.
Does it really make any difference?
It’s good there’s no animosity but in the grand scheme of things it makes no difference, unless the club intends to use the local papers to release some upcoming news of importance.
mag92
Dec 16, 2014 at 2:05 PM
Comment #4Let’s hope that Pardew, drops Williamson, Gouffran, and returns to winning ways.
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 16, 2014 at 2:07 PM
Comment #5OP,
Not a huge difference, but it is still good to have the whole debacle sorted out and over with.
mag92
Dec 16, 2014 at 2:09 PM
Comment #6Sissoko, back to beef up the midfield,and Saylor, instead of Williamson, who is the worst defender in the premier league.
optimistic prime
Dec 16, 2014 at 2:20 PM
Comment #7Lg
Posted a article on previous thread, apparently M’biwa permanent move is done and dusted.
On the local papers, I hate now how whenever the club do something the majority of people are suspicious, especially me.
It would be nice to think we may start to get better relations with club and fans and some sort of idea what the future of the club is.
Marty-Toon
Dec 16, 2014 at 9:50 PM
Comment #8Willo is not the worst CB in the PL,he’s not the best but has played many decent games for us,although not of late.
Ben arfa -what a shame he can’t get his finger out.
What a waste of talent .