Amidst the flurry of second half goals conceded at Fulham last weekend, there was one ray of sunshine for Newcastle; the majestic performance of Hatem Ben Arfa. The Frenchman’s mazy dribbles, in addition to a goal and assist for Danny Guthrie’s screamer, will come as no surprise to Newcastle fans and eagle-eyed Fantasy managers.
Last season Ben Arfa’s flair offered so much promise. Signed on loan from Marseille, he scored on his debut against Everton in September 2010 but just a month later his campaign was in tatters after a typically agricultural challenge by Manchester City’s Nigel De Jong. Such was Newcastle’s faith in Ben Arfa’s recovery and talent that, in the midst of his lengthy treatment in January, the club signed him on a permanent deal.
After breaking down with injury again over the summer, he eventually returned to the first team in September to finally begin his 2011/12 Premier League season. It’s been a tough old slog for Ben Arfa to regain form and a starting spot in the Newcastle team, though slowly but surely he’s getting there. A Boxing Day goal against Bolton was his first in the league this term. An impressive display against QPR in Gameweek 21 followed, before Ben Arfa produced arguably one of the goals of the season with a superb solo effort against Blackburn in the FA Cup earlier this month.
The Fulham game has undoubtedly signalled a full return to form. It was his first 90-minute Premier League appearance of the season and he even earned a bonus point for his efforts; how many players on the wrong side of a five-goal thrashing can say that? So with this French cat well and truly out of the bag, there may well be handsome rewards for those looking to acquire his services over the coming weeks. Currently costing 5.4m and with just 1.6% ownership, he is also among the most talented differentials in the game.
There are caveats, though. Clearly, he is still threatened with rotation. To allow him a starting berth against Fulham, Newcastle’s utility man and free-kick specialist Ryan Taylor made way at the Cottage. It seems unfathomable that Taylor will not be re-installed into the side for the majority of matches and Ben Arfa is among those who could find themselves on the bench. It’s also worth noting that despite Ben Arfa’s individual display, Newcastle seemed a lot less defensively secure- they had shipped just 6 goals in the six fixtures leading up to the Fulham game.
Another issue to consider is his ego. Ben Arfa is certainly not backwards at coming forwards about his talent and is adamant his best position is just behind the strikers, where he can weave his magic. Pardew disagrees and wants Ben Arfa out wide, where he believes he can be more effective.  He also questions Ben Arfa’s work ethic in that number 10 role. So far Pardew has been proved right and Ben Arfa, conscious that he could be in line for an international call up for France during Euro 2012, is happy to just play anywhere for now.
With Papiss Demba Cisse also arriving in the January transfer window, it’s fair to say Ben Arfa’s chances of a place up front are further lessened, with Pardew keen on linking Cisse with Demba Ba up top. Senegal’s exit from the African Cup of Nations means both will be available from gameweek 23 onwards, though it remains to be seen whether Pardew affords the duo a rest after their international exertions and extended travelling time.
Forthcoming fixtures are a mixture (bla,AVL, tot, WOL, SUN, ars, NOR, wba) but he could be a great option to rotate with a Sunderland midfielder like Stephane Sessegnon or the cut-price James McClean. Wildcarders should note that the two northeast clubs’ fixtures rotate very nicely indeed over the coming weeks, affording Ben Arfa further chance to shine; that’s providing Pardew gives him the game time, of course.
