The Curious Case of Hatem Ben Arfa

After 25 minutes of Sunday’s game against QPR, Hatem Ben Arfa took to the field to replace the injured Yohan Cabaye. He was met by rapturous applause from the Newcastle fans, even before he’d set foot on the pitch. “That boy could change the game” they all thought, and change the game he certainly did.

His manager at Newcastle, Alan Pardew, has described Ben Arfa as ‘high maintenance’, publicly told the Frenchman that he must ‘work harder’ in order to earn a place in the team, and repeatedly resisted the temptation to hand the 24-year old a regular starting shirt. And many believe that Pardew is right. Ben Arfa’s work rate does not match that of Jonas Gutierrez or Cabaye, two midfielders who are selected week in, week out. At times Ben Arfa can be wasteful, losing possession after trying to beat one defender too many, when a pass may have been a better option.

Where Pardew would rather Newcastle clipped the ball into towering striker Shola Ameobi, Ben Arfa would rather it was played into him at grass level, allowing him to turn and run at players. His philosophy on the game, he says, differs from his manager’s. He wishes for short passes, intelligent movement and quick dribbles. Pardew however, has demanded that Ben Arfa adapt to fit Newcastle, rather than shaping his team around the no.10. Yet there is something there that has grasped Geordie hearts.

Ben Arfa’s creativity, imagination and skill were there for all to see in the FA Cup at Blackburn. He picked the ball up about 35 yards from goal, before skipping challenge after change, feinting his way through a crowd of Blackburn defenders before smashing it past the hapless Paul Robinson. Pardew described it as “the best goal I have ever seen.” And it is the continental flair that the Geordies wish for – Ginola, Solano and Asprilla were all adored by the St James Park faithful, simply for their refusal to play the game the ‘English way’.

And on Sunday, Ben Arfa’s introduction to the game changed the way Newcastle played. With the playmaker on the pitch, Newcastle fed the ball to the little Frenchman and asked him to make things happen. His use of the ball was good, regularly bringing Davide Santon into the game with cross-field passes. He displayed an impeccable touch and impressive balance when running with the ball, ghosting past defenders on more than one occasion, and his vision was unrivalled, creating chances for both Leon Best and Ryan Taylor.

At times, he seemed almost too good to be playing for Newcastle. However, its performances like this that will frustrate Alan Pardew – nobody doubts the talent the former Marseille man possesses, yet he needs to display this talent every game in order to warrant a place in the starting line-up. Pardew admitted he was “tempted” to start him, yet believed Ryan Taylor would give the team more balance. What he meant though, is that Taylor would work harder.

In fairness to Hatem Ben Arfa, his work rate was fantastic on Sunday. Maybe he had a point to prove to his manager. Maybe the love and adoration of the St James’ Park crowd inspired him to perform. Or maybe, Ben Arfa’s game is changing. Could it be that the once lazy, selfish player is now prepared to work hard for not just himself, but the team? In the absence of Demba Ba and Cheick Tiote, Pardew will no doubt be required to call on Hatem Ben Arfa at some point over the coming weeks. Whether or not Ben Arfa will perform the way he did against QPR reamins to be seen.

Reece Darwent