Since the moment he signed for Newcastle United, I’ve told anyone who will listen about the French genius that is Hatem Ben Arfa. For my money, he’s the most gifted player to have played for the club in over a decade, possessing skills right up there with Geordie legend Peter Beardsley and can help NUFC get right back into the big time.
As the 2008 winner of the France Young Player of the Year award following in the footsteps of Zidane and Henry plus caps and goals for France, he has the trophy-winning experience and clout not to be laughed out of Toon when he demands a place in the team or even suggests we can “go and get the title” if we show more confidence - he should know, he won 5 in 6 years in France.
PLAN HBA
Where exactly to fit him into the side has been Pardew’s main dilemma this season - and that of the fans - yet his 1st FA Cup goal and performance against Blackburn again proves he needs to be in the team now he‘s fully recovered from injury. He was a shining light away to both Manchester clubs earlier in the season, hitting the post in The Etihad Stadium and setting up a gilt-edged chance for a rare miss from Lord DemBa and it was his direct run into the box at Old Trafford that gave Rio Ferdinand and the linesman more than they could handle for our penalty.
With his creativity, flair and dribbling, he makes things happen and against all opposition. Where he excels is the final 3rd - he’s a scorer of goals and a changer of games as his 30-minute cameo as sub against Bolton on Boxing Day showed. Newcastle always look stronger playing with two proper strikers in a 4-4-2 so replacing Obertan as regular right-winger would prove a hugely-popular decision on Tyneside.
HBA-CADBRA!
Alan Pardew hailed his latest wonder strike against Blackburn as “the greatest goal I’ve ever seen” and like Peter the Great was the verdict of the fans : “It was Beardsley all over again…the dinks, the swerve of the hips, everything.” Newcastle may not have the strength in depth yet to win the Premier League title but with kind draws and HBA timely on fire in the absence of Ba, it’s never been more realistic for NUFC to “go and win the FA Cup“ and get back where we belong in Europe.
Don’t Stop Believing
Stuart Latimer @ultrastartime
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