Hatem will pick up keys to a house that has been organised for him by the club on his return and he will begin the process of settling into life in what will become his new home. Belatedly of course due to his injury, but it’s better late than never and it didn’t stop Newcastle making his signing permanent in the January window.
Yesterday he spoke to Canal+ about a number of things, and as it was on French TV it meant that I was unable to watch it. However, a version of it has been transcripted in Foot Mercato which I am going to now try and translate using Google plus a bit of French knowledge from my school days to try and tidy up so we don’t end up with talk of how Ben Arfa like shopping trolleys when in fact he is trying to say that he likes cheese…..
Here goes….
Firstly, Ben Arfa spoke of the chance that the injury lay-off has presented to him. It appears that the injury has been a blessing in disguise for him as he has built bridges with his friends and family. Benny said:
“It is true that there was a setback. I could get closer to my friends and really think. I was no longer in the spotlight, I was really with myself. I could get closer to my family, my friends. I also got to travel a bit. This is a break that has made me better and I hope it will be a blessing in disguise. Only time will tell.”
It’s been explained to us by people like Graham Carr how positively our treatment of Hatem Ben Arfa has been viewed back in his native France, and it would appear that our ‘hands off’ treatment has struck a chord with Ben Arfa who is eager to repay the club for the faith shown in him. He said:
“The club gave me lots of respect, lots of love. I want to repay them and do a lot for this club because they have given me great confidence. For a human being, that’s huge. It touched me.”
Ben Arfa then went on to say that he didn’t hold anything against de Jong and accepted an apology from the Dutch thug, although he does feel that players need more protection from referees:
“I do not really understand English. But in his text, he told me about how he did not intend to hurt me and he was sorry. I told him it was okay, it was football.”
“Anyway, the problem is that there was no blame. I think people can get away with anything if there are no sanctions. I do not want to criticise the referee, but we still have a little more to do to protect players, and if he wants to tackle like this again then maybe he will think twice.”
As discussed by Alan Pardew the other day, Ben Arfa will be our roving number 10 and will have the license to be our creative force next season – a role that Ben Arfa is looking forward to by all accounts. He continued:
“This position is my preferred position. When the coaches put you on the wing, you adapt. But it is true that it is a job that I love because I can bring much to the group. It is a position that requires a lot of responsibilities. It is a position I like a lot but compared to the France team, we’ll see. It is another thing.”
That’s about it really and I apologise for the poor translation at times. I’ve tried to polish it up a bit but my French is not as good as my Spanish so all I’ve done is try my best.
We’ll have to wait and see whether or not Ben Arfa can return as the player he once was, although all the signs have indicated so far that he should be back and be as fit as ever. It’s a long road to recovery, but it will be worth the wait if he can reproduce his best for us.
Take it easy Benny!
great carnt wait to see him back in a black and white shirt , how long b4 liverpoool want him to ?
shearer(Quote)
He’ll be sold in the summer anyway 🙄 😆 😆
toonsy(Quote)
good effort m8,seems there wasnt said as much as some hoped there to be
icedog(Quote)
SHEARER,last word on l/pool they have loads of cash 😉
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/04042011/58/premier-league-hodgson-7-3m-reds-pay.html
icedog(Quote)
S’alright – Liverpool can’t afford him.
If Shola could only muster the kind of performance he did on Saturday more regularly, I can actually see him or Best being an excellent foil for Benny. If Barton’s happy to stay on the RW, Jonas continues to do what he did on Saturday, and Nolan just keeps being Nolan, then we should be quite a force next season.
And isn’t it good to be able to talk about attack in the knowledge that our back line is more or less as we’d want it? Yes, we need to re-sign Jose and get more cover for the full-back positions, but all’s good.
It’s hard to see where to spend £35m right now. Another striker and a winger, plus a couple of utility players that can play full-back if needed.. handful of new talented sprogs for the academy….
Yep. Sorted. 😛
Whumpie(Quote)
Ice – There was a bit more about Deschamps but it wasn’t really relevant so I left it.
toonsy(Quote)
I wonder who touched him…. Bet it’s that Graham Carr! following in his sons footsteps..
Jobey07(Quote)
Who set up Hodgson’s contract, Freddy Shepherd?? 😯
Some clubs just deserve to get stiffed; how can they hire a manager in such a way that he can do so badly yet earn so much?
Honestly, he may as well be a banker.
Whumpie(Quote)
I was hoping there would be pictures of him back on the site 👿
Nice one for putting this up
dan4toon(Quote)
Tomorrow he is back.
toonsy(Quote)
Well then tomorrow there better be 👿
dan4toon(Quote)
if we manage to get a decent striker in the summer our first eleven will be looking very strong, then it’s just a matter of strengthing the squad.
andynufc(Quote)
WHUMPIE aye mate,beats the makers 👿
icedog(Quote)
We should go after a top class CB to replace Williamson and sign Gervinho as part of the 35mill. I could see Shola/Best up front, with Gervinho and HBA supporting. 3 man MF behind with Tiote, Barton, Enrique. I know that I left off Nolan, but he could fill in for literally any of those players and would get as much field time.
Harper
Simpson — New CB — Colo — Enrique
Barton — Tiote — Jonas
HBA —- ———_Gervinho
Shola
Free Scoring Smudge(Quote)
Replacing Willo is NOT based on his performance Saturday, which was brilliant.
Free Scoring Smudge(Quote)
he should be like a new signing 😀
shearer(Quote)
Gotta get a new striker IMO
Harper
Simmo Willo Colo Jose
Barton Tiote Nolan
HBA———Gervinho/Jonas
New striker
Striker, either sigorthsson or Wolfswinkel.
we can’t have shola and best as main forwards next yeah if we want to push on
Jobey07(Quote)
year*
Jobey07(Quote)
Jobey – Agreed. Whilst Best and Shola have done well for us, they aren’t the long term answer if we want to move up the league.
toonsy(Quote)
I would love Van Wolfswinkel like.
I know it’s premature, but I think Benny will become a toon legend. He is the kind of playing who will have SJP on it’s feet time and time again, even by just looking at the ball with intent.
He will definately be getting an ‘Ex-star spotlight’ in about 10 years time
Moreno(Quote)
If Benny’s going in the middle, but can play on the wing, I wonder if AP will consider him and Barton as his RW position’s 1st and 2nd choice? Seems odd when neither of them prefers it out there, but let’s face it – Barton is a bit good out wide!
It would also partly explain the Ireland thing. I suppose. If Guthrie’s natural position is backup for Cheik, Barton is penned in for RW and Benny’s up front ‘in the hole’ then suddenly we only have Nolan and Ireland for the central AM spot, plus some of the up-and-comers.
Anyone think this is what Pardew’s thinking?
Whumpie(Quote)
Moreno, agree Van Wolfswinkel looks the part and will play well with Ben Arfa off him!
dan4toon(Quote)
Why does everyone keep suggesting Van Wolfswinkle? How many here have actually seen him play?
He destroyed Celtic in Europe but our defence had played about 2 games together since they were signed and we were atrocious.
I talk up the Dutch league but goal records there aren’t the most reliable. He is not someone people have seen enough to suggest throwing £10m plus away on.
funkyjesus(Quote)
I agree on Shola and Best. You can play either one, but not both – it just won’t compete far enough up the table. We already have a strong 1st 11, mind – it’s the backup that’s the problem.
This would be pretty effective:
—————–Harps
Simpson – Colo – Willo/Saylor – Jose
—————–Tiote
Barton —-Nolan/Ireland ——- Jonas
————— Benny
——————– Shola/Best/New blerk
Whumpie(Quote)
I doubt if we’ll see a really big-name striker come in – they’re just so risky and use up more resources than they’re worth. And we should know… 😳
I’d much rather see another in the Benny & Tiote bracket – early twenties, shedloads of talent but not quite the finished article. And remember we’ve got Ranger and Airey to bring through yet.
Whumpie(Quote)
Talking of strikers, that head-on from Shola to Nolan was absolutely sublime. More please, Big Lad.
Whumpie(Quote)
Funky, because there the type of strikers were looking at; Wolfswinkel, Sigthorsson, Gervinho etc.
dan4toon(Quote)
Whumpie, yeah the flick on from Shola was inch perfect and am sure a certain former no.9 would have been proud of that…
…Shearer 💡
dan4toon(Quote)
If we’re really going to push on next year, we need to solidify the defense. The performance Willo put in against Arsenal, where he had absolutely no clue where RVP was at any time, makes CB the most important signing IMO.
Willo is a good player against lower level teams like Wolves, but has been exposed a number of times and never looks comfortable on the ball. Obviously I’m not sold on Saylor. Great run from him at the end of the match though!
Free Scoring Smudge(Quote)
If only the lad could produce performances like that every week, we wouldn’t need to be in the market. I still think he and Benny could be a fantastic pairing next season… till he gets crocked.
Whumpie(Quote)
I am not saying Wolfie isn’t quality – I am just saying I am doubting people here have seen enough of him in action to be certain of his quality. Why not get Afonso Alves back too, he was great and scored plenty with no one actually seeing how he fits into the team.
Wolfie has also been injured for several months too, has he not?
funkyjesus(Quote)
can sum1 do me a massive favour and paste the write up on thios topic and sent it 2 me plz, it wont show me it!!
Army69(Quote)
Yeah with a similar injury to Harpers, if we did want him that might be seen as an advantage because it keeps him off the radar.
dan4toon(Quote)
Toonsy-
Je sais pas que tu parles le francais, mon ami. J’ai etudie le francais pour quatre ans dans l’universite, donc peut-etre je dois traduire pour toi 😀 J’ai trouve l’article et ton traduction etait parfait haha
OHurley(Quote)
My timing sucks. I’m boarding a plane to Spain at 4pm on Sunday.
****. ****. 😡
Whumpie(Quote)
Barton’s due a goal. I think on Sunday we’ll see him get the armband, play a blinder and score the winner.
All of which, of course, I shall miss because I’ll be staring at the back of a plane seat…
Whumpie(Quote)
can sum1 do me a massive favour and paste the write up on thios topic and sent it 2 me plz, it wont show me it!! any111111111?????
Army69(Quote)
Sorry, Army – don’t know how to send that and I don’t want to paste the whole article as a comment.
Whumpie(Quote)
Oh, and you seem to have a sticky keyboard. Half the letters don’t appear and others seem to repeat.
😈
Whumpie(Quote)
Six months and one day the after the attack is de Jong, Hatem Ben Arfa is back. The French, Who Suffered a double fracture tibia-fibula, however, Should Be Rarely Used by The End of the season.
Hatem Ben Arfa is back. Almost Six Months To The Day After His tibia and fibula fracture dual history of left leg, The Player Will Resume on Monday Newcastle Road training. Pierre Hamon, The orthopedic surgeon Football365 Questioned After the serious injury of a player, WAS RIGHT: “The initial consolidation Will Take Three to Four Months. Then There Is The fitness club. So it makes sense to add back one-to Two Months. “Victim Of An attack by Nigel de Jong, The Dutch midfielder from Manchester City The French left HAH The Pitch at St James Park on life support and stretcher Saturday, October 3 last. Monday, April 4 next, He Will resume training With The Group of Alan Pardew.
The end of a long ordeal for The Newcastle midfielder , cut icts early momentum after The Good With The Magpies. After SEVERAL weeks in Tunisia (country of origin) to Relax With family, Ben Arfa has started “historical rehabilitation at Clairefontaine last November. Former Resident Of The INF, It Had benefited from a rally to welcome the Blues players and Lawrence White From The France team. Advised by Dr. Eric Rolland, The Doctor PSG, Ben Arfa has stepped back and forth In The Yvelines. Where he finally aussi Completed historical rehabilitation. “Here, I enjoy excellent facilities and a competent medical staff, he Acknowledged last January. With a program of six hours a day, I quickly saw The First results. It Helps When one Feel That one move. ”
At the Time, HBA WAS Still Dreaming of a return in February. Finally, Two Months Later It Is The Most Unfortunate found Of The early season Premier League. A week after Taking Part In Some Exercises with Ball Of The Young INF, Ben Arfa, however, should “resume Smoothly. His coach, Alan Pardew, IS Unwilling to take “any chances. The train intende Charlton player to make up for lost time and subsequently assembled on ITS Heavily top technician for next season. He should “use it only sparingly by The End of the Championship. There are whispers That Even Ben Arfa did “Back in the competition That on May 7 at home Against Birmingham. Then He Will Have Two games left. The French season is over anyway Since The attack of de Jong. And Monday, Especially For the preparations have undertaker forthcoming French. icts With Newcastle first somehow.
shearer(Quote)
that from the french paper
shearer(Quote)
Nice one Shearer.
dan4toon(Quote)
Ben Arfa is a quality player, cant wait to see him back on the pitch again 😉
arcarius(Quote)
Another friendly confirmed. Columbus Crew!
http://www.thecrew.com/news/2011/04/crew-face-newcastle-united-july-26
dan4toon(Quote)
ne bother 😆
shearer(Quote)
http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110404/club-confirms-columbus-clash_2281670_2330604
dan4toon(Quote)
Rooney has been charged! 2 game ban!!!
FINALLY!!
pearceet(Quote)
🙂
shearer(Quote)
does he miss our game i hope so
shearer(Quote)
TOONSY was wrong then 😀
icedog(Quote)
if that was joey barton he would of got a 3 match ban but the fa must of realised they were playing us so they gave him a 2 match ban instead so he does get to play us 🙁
shearer(Quote)
pearceet-
THANK GOD. Would be MINT to beat the Mancs.
OHurley(Quote)
shearer
No city and fulham game
pearceet(Quote)
Shearer, unfortunately I don’t think so because it’s a two game ban, even if that was just domestically he would miss there next Premier League game and then the FA cup semi-final and then be back for our game. Typical.
dan4toon(Quote)
Just our luck his return is us.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/12950670.stm
YABBA DABBA DOOO!!!!!!!! ROONEY WILL SURELY MISS THE TRIP TO ST JAMES! And he loves scoring against us, reeeeeeeeee-sult!
That was unexpected, eh Toonsy?
DevonMag(Quote)
i think we will beat them if they they have got rooney or not 😆
shearer(Quote)
weve beaten arseholes 5cumder1and chelski and filthy scousers. All thats missing is manure!
pearceet(Quote)
ahh bollocks! It’s two games till WE play United, but three for them. Absolutely cocking typical! Surely it’s a standard 3 games for misconduct?
DevonMag(Quote)
Devon Mag
His return will be us, they play City in the cup 🙁
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
roony wil mis the fulham and fa cup semi against man city
batty(Quote)
Devon, there is a chance if he denies the charge it might get bumped up to 3 games and then he would miss ours…
dan4toon(Quote)
DevonMag they just said on sky sports news that he will miss the fa cup semi final and who ever they are playing at the weekend that means he will play us
shearer(Quote)
Even is he was banned for our game they would play hernandez…… hes not a bad sub!
pearceet(Quote)
Good news re: Shrek ban.
fj, you don’t always need to see something with your own eyes to make an Assesment of it, I have seen Neymar a lot less than Van Wolfs and I know for a fact he is mint
Moreno(Quote)
or if not him owen the waste of space
shearer(Quote)
would love to see ben arfa play against man u
shearer(Quote)
Shearer, if Owen plays he will score, like Carroll will 🙁
dan4toon(Quote)
yeah to be honest Rooney or no Rooney they have an embarrassment of riches up front. Would probably rather Wayne was playing than Hernandez anyway as he is literally a goal-machine. 17 goals this season in about 7 or 8 starts, an unbelievable talent…
DevonMag(Quote)
that is what worry me lol
shearer(Quote)
if wolves can beat man u we can to 😛
shearer(Quote)
non of the top teams have beaten us at st james this season
shearer(Quote)
apart from city lol for got about them
shearer(Quote)
yeah Shearer but that was almost entirely down to Tim the-Dutch-Spastic Krul! We played amazing that game and if we hadn’t gone down early would certainly have got something out of it!
DevonMag(Quote)
I would love it if Owen played against us…
Would be one less player to worry about on the man u side.
I think we’ll get a draw against Man United. And to be honest, I don’t think Fergie will play a full strength team, because of the fixture congestion. He has more important ties.
I actually think Rooney wouldn’t have played, but now he will because he’s suspended from the two games before.
JJ(Quote)