The hidden benefit of Hatem Ben Arfa.

Ben Arfa's transfer tittle-tattle.
The people that have access to the writing side of the blog will have known this for a while, but I’ve had this article planned for a day or so now.

The fact that The Chronicle have picked up on it either means there is an insider leaking stuff out, or they have have access to my little secret area, or it’s all just a bit of coincidence. Whichever it may be, it’s nice to see a bit of the same train of thought with regard to NUFC for a change.

Basically, as you may guess by the headline, it’s about the role that Hatem Ben Arfa has apparently been playing when it comes to attracting players to the club. Granted it’s probably not the role that most of us would have had Ben Arfa down for, but it’s been important all the same. Long may it continue!

It seems that Hatem holds some sway in has native France. Quite rightly too. I mean this is a player who was touted as being the future of French football not so long back so naturally there will be a lot of attention on him. Consequently this has put a lot of attention on Newcastle, and for once it’s good attention.

It seems that the French are pretty impressed with us. This all came about as a result of Hatem Ben Arfa’s injury and the way the club supported him and stuck by him when it could have been oh so easy just to walk away. Graham Carr first brought it to our attention a few months back – about the positive French media coverage – which can only be a good thing surely?

It doesn’t end there though. It seems that it’s not only the impression that we’ve given of ourselves that is at play when it comes to incoming transfers. Additionally Ben Arfa himself has taken it upon himself to give glowing references about the club to potential new recruits.

First up there was Demba Ba, who admitted that he’d spoken to Hatem prior to his move to Newcastle. Players talk, and it seems that the words of Ben Arfa were heeded by the striker as he completed his move to Newcastle from West Ham.

Then there is Sylvain Marveaux who today revealed that he to had spoken to our French wizard and had once again received a glowing reference from the current No37. It seems that the passion and fervour of the fans is something Ben Arfa appreciates and he is quite willing to tell people about it.

The sale of Kevin Nolan and lack of a new deal for each of Joey Barton and Jose Enrique seem to be dominating things at the moment, so isn’t it nice and refreshing to see someone from within the club, a player no less, selling the club and the vision to his countrymen, or in fact to anyone that will lend an ear. This has to be a good thing surely?

Sorry if this is too positive for some, but I love the fact that Ben Arfa holds the club in such high regard. He’s not been here long and he’s hardly played so he doesn’t have to do any of this does he? He could just as easily say that he doesn’t really know what it’s like as he hasn’t had time to bed in, or something like that.

So next time you think about what we’ve missed from Ben Arfa, remember that whilst he may not have played as much as we would all have liked, he has still been working for the club…… in the transfer market.

I wonder if he could have a word with some more of his countrymen? 😉

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

124 thoughts on “The hidden benefit of Hatem Ben Arfa.

  1. Good read. Seems like HBA is our agent in france. Freakin fantastic, that. Hopefully he’ll get back to his full potential asap and terrorize a few teams this season!

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  2. It’s a shame Jose Enrique hasn’t been recognized for the Spanish national team, as he deserves it. Not only would he not have the desire to play somewhere else, but he could tell a fair few of his mates how great it is playing for NUFC.

    Imagine some Spanish national teamers coming over this summer too! Would have Champs League written all over us wouldn’t it? Dreaming is fun

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  3. AndrewT-

    Aye, mate. El Toro would no doubt go to Barca and tell everyone how great the Toon is. Whey aye, I bet Messi himsel would be clammerin’ at our door, perfectly willin to take a paycut down to 50k/week in exchange for a 10 year contract. Certainly, Iniesta and Villa would reet behind like! 😆

    In the words of Thom Yorke, “Nice dream.” And ain’t it just… 😉

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  4. Interesting question- has there ever been a player at NUFC who was basical;y afforded legend status by us supporters, despite playing so little?

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  5. I honestly love the fact that HBA is doing his bit for the cause. Perhaps we should have put Carroll in a car with Hatem instead of Nolan back in January? 👿

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  6. I honestly think that benny boy could be one of the outstanding performers in the league next season if he can get back to full fitness and hit the ground running. for all the stories we heard when we signed him on loan about being a prima donna etc how he has proved them wrong! going to watch gateshead, selling the club to new and prospective players, i think he will be given the no 10 or 7 (i think his preference) if barton leaves next year as well.

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  7. I remember how gutted I was when he broke his leg…Seems so long ago now, I was actually close to tears 😆 😯

    I just thought hes going to get back up he’ll be fine then they started saying we can’t show the replays then he did the hand movement that his leg had snapped. 🙁

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  8. HBA needs a pay rise!! I can see him being our very own Thierry Henry and eventually move into the Number 9 shirt!!

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  9. On Arfa i think one part of the convo with Syvain would be about Injuries, as he has a poor record he would of liked to know how we would react to them, the support Arfa got from Cards etc.. and well wishes i reckon that would of been told to Syvain

    Either way he is a posistive player and seems to be Humble now maybe the crazy situation that happened grew him up as a player and person.

    AndrewT@

    True i mean in thus Summer alone he has been linked with Manchester United/Liverpool/Arsenal/Barcelona so he is recogonised by the clubs just not the national team, the coach does not like including players from other countries he plays Buscquets over Fabregas, Pedro over David Silva etc..
    Being in Champions League will help him to get noticed but its impossible for him to get noticed at NUFC he just needs them to scout him to find how good he is.

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  10. If Ben Arfa really has this kind of rapport with Cabaye, Ba and Marveaux, you have to like their chances of gelling together on the field. Don’t get me wrong, I’d still worry about having as high a turnover as some people are claiming we’ll have. But with getting these guys in early, and them having some familiarity with each other, I’m optimistic.

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  11. Andrew….maybe his English hasn’t so he hit on the idea of persuading French speakers to come to Toon so it won’t matter so much! 😉 😆

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  12. Andrew T @ 13

    I dont think much Spanish players would join Newcaslte 😛 There all world class players even there reserves are too good for us

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  13. rambo87, I’m right with you! I’m really hopin that HBA can just explode into glory at the beginning of the season

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  14. I bet he hasnt hurt the shirt sales aswell 😀 Also i hope he bounces back from this injury and gets a few more PL games under his belt.

    This club is deffinitly moving in the right direction i just hope we keep go in that direction and not back to the laughing stock of the premier league.

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  15. ******* hell got in expecting to watch England u17s playing, Whats skybox recorded burkina faso vs panama 🙄

    On benny hes doing a great job, If we can complete deals for Matuidi and Erding and not sell too many (apart from Jose/Nile who look like their off) then im optimistic, But im sure fat mick will have something **** up his sleeve… 🙁

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  16. Yeah, Louis. Ben Arfa seems much less the selfish, whining git that he was painted to be before coming

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  17. Wouldn’t it be just beautiful for Benny to score a hat-trick against Arsenal on opening day?! I would love that. Talk about hitting the ground runnin in preparation for the scumberland match

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  18. @MDS
    You say;

    Interesting question- has there ever been a player at NUFC who was basical;y afforded legend status by us supporters, despite playing so little?

    Have you been on the happy Baccy? 😆

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  19. it is crazy MDS. HBA was in only 3 games, but scoring that one goal against Everton and encouraging other top players to the club has given him a huge amount of respect at least from the fans

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  20. @32

    It would be beautiful if anyone scored a hat-trick against Arsenal on opening day 😀

    I think unless Sunderland spend well i can see them being relagation candidates this season lets hopes so 😀

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  21. N.Irish

    Lets hope so! Apparently Villa are trying to steal Larrson from them 😆

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  22. @Andrew

    Even better if we could find a player who could score a hatrick against the mackems! 😆

    Can you imagine if we had such a player? 🙂 😯

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  23. @34- agreed. Plus I think his speed and flair (and that great goal!) brought a level of excitement to the squad that was lacking IMO

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  24. @NIrish Toon

    I can’t think of the last player to ever have scored a hatrick against the Toon can you?

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  25. I’m really delighted with how Ben Arfa has been recommending us to other players, nothing like first-hand experience to get someone to come to our club.

    Really looking forward to having him back for next season

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  26. Ba had double leg break just like Ben Arfa. NUFC looked after Arfa and paid his wages. Don’t think full wage would have been paid in France but not 100% sure on this. Good news is Ba was only sidelined for 8 months so we might get Ben Arfa back sooner than I thought. Didn’t expect him back till the new year.

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  27. Sorry, I can’t remember the last toon player to score a hatrick against the mackems can you?

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  28. Bobby that’s strange because I heard you went out and bought his shirt after he scored that hattrick 😛

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  29. @41

    i cant tell if your being sarcastic lol?

    But incase not last day of the season Tchoyi 😥

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  30. @JG

    I would never get a players name on the back of a Toon shirt under Ashleys reign.

    The players of any worth will be sold on before the letters have dried. 😆

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  31. Im confused!!!

    Bobby said cant think of a player to score hat trick vs toon..,

    NIT says Tchoyi…..

    Bobby says “toon player”

    People are talking about shirts on backs and tchoyi……

    Being sarcastic or not?……

    IM GOING TO BED

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  32. MDS and Andy T
    The nearest I can get to a legend who only played a few games is Tony Green – he is remembered fondly by a lot of fans as a small, nippy and very skilful inside forward (remember them?) – not unlike HBA, actually – who was a joy to watch and probably saved us from relegation one season. I think he only played about 30 games in total before an injury put paid to his career – but he got a testimonial and is on many lists of best Toon players for those who remember him.
    Hope King Arfa goes on to play many more than that.

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  33. It would not surprise me if Pardew sees Ba as our main striker with HBA as number 10.
    Shola and Best as back up.

    Come the end of the window after deliberate failed artempts to get another striker , Pards will sing the battlecry ! We tried but we’ll just have to get on with it and the Carroll money will see us in good stead next transfer window. 😥

    Anyone for the reality train? 😆

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  34. No first of he asked last player to score a hat-trick against the toon but i think he meant the last player to score a hat-trick against the mackems for the toon so both my answers were right

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  35. Notts,
    jump in the bath first and do your homework. Lights out at 6pm! 😆

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  36. BSN9 did you see my line up for next season on the other thread?!!! 😈

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  37. @57 You told me it had a crash? Hope your not lieing.

    And I dont mind players selling the club to other players, aslong as they dont sell it to shyte people 😈

    Really, in all Seriousness, we deserve a cup or somthing, doubt many clubs would get 45-52K everyweek with our recent history.

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  38. @Liam

    No and I’m not looking as it will likely resemble the current Barca team. 😆

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  39. BSN9 – no no its only a line up of what we ‘officially’ have at the toon….as it stands

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  40. @Liam

    But is it who you believe will be our starting line up at the start of the season or just now. ?

    I’m predicting that will be our 4 strikers.

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  41. No just now but had HBA, BA up front with best and the ameobi on the bench.

    I am really hoping for a big number 9 striker to come in but as it stands thats what i think it will be

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  42. Bobby @ 50

    That’s why I just get my shirts with only the number 9 on the back. That way I can pay homage to ALL of our number 9’s, and not have to worry about when some upstart Judas stabs the club in the back like lol

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  43. @ohurley

    You will never learn will you? Carroll was pushed. 😉

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  44. @68 You can say he was pushed all you like, but at the end of the day, who had the pen in their hand when the contract was signed?

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  45. @Spencer

    Its old ground that I’ve discussed a thousand times. He was pushed . 😆

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  46. Bobby – will you join me in getting joey’s #7 in protest of him not getting a contract?

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  47. Really Bobby? Then Carroll is the biggest moron in the world for thinking he was pushes out the club. So what if owner says I want to make all this money off you! The rest of the squad, manager, and fans absolutely love you! He pissed it away for more money thanks to a little agent that Liverpool bought to convince him.

    Stupid greedy a$$

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