Is Hatem Ben Arfa really injury prone?

Benny after his latest injury.
With Hatem Ben Arfa once again due to return to training on Tyneside there is no doubt that the expectation levels will start to rise.

There is little doubt that Hatem Ben Arfa can be a special player for us. He is skilful, tricky, has pace and can do something that little bit different during a match.

That much is evident and has always been so.

It’s just a shame that we’ve not had the chance to observe this at close quarters on a regular basis as serious injury has managed to put a limit on the amount of times we’ve seen Benny in the black and white shirt.

My own personal view is that it is just desperately unlucky on the part of Ben Arfa whilst others seem to think that this could be a problem in the making and have even dubbed him “Kieron Ben Arfa” due to the amount of time that he has been out for.

Personally I feel this is harsh and that people are trying to use an extreme example to justify their point. It’s a bit tacky if truth be told as when you compare the injury records of the two players you will see that they are poles apart.

Kieron Dyer has a huge history of injury problems with the most memorable ones, for me anyway, being all of the little niggles and strains that he used to pick up whilst he played for us. Of course there is the broken leg he suffered at West Ham which kept him out for 17 months aswell as the recent injury he picked up three minutes into his QPR debut, but the fact is that he has always been fragile. To put it in perspective, Alan Shearer played over 100 more games than Dyer did for Newcastle, and Shearer wasn’t without his injury problems and even retired before Dyer left the club.

So how can a player with a string of injuries – some serious but mostly not serious – be compared to a player who had his leg broken in two places after a tackle from nasty Nigel de Jong and then had his ligaments raked thanks to another tough tackle from Roger Espinoza in pre-season?

Time will tell if Ben Arfa is injury prone or not. But judging a player after two impact injuries, both of which happened in a game and can happen to anyone, is a bi harsh in my opinion. Wait and see.

Likewise I feel it’s folly to expect miracles from the lad. I know some fans will scoff at this, but when he returns he is literally going to be just like a new signing, which means that he is going to take time to adjust and adapt like any other new player as that is essentially just what he is.

Whilst he put in a stellar performance against Everton it’s worth remembering that he is unlikely to be able to replicate that in many games. Once in a while would be nice though… He’ll need time and patience.

Is Ben Arfa really a crock? Nah. Just unlucky so far.

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.

48 thoughts on “Is Hatem Ben Arfa really injury prone?

  1. Good article Toonsy.
    I cant wait till he is back but I worry that to many fans are expecting far to much from him, I think there is a lot of weight on his shoulders.

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  2. Definitely unlucky, like you said, they were injuries that would happen to anyone.
    Yeah I reckon there will be a lot of expectations on his shoulders. But I also think he will rise to them and smash them to bits!

    I’ve never known someone to have so much emphasis placed on having featured so little, that Everton game really was superb though.

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  3. What is good is that in marktoons articles lots of teams would would him.
    He is a recognised quality player there is no doubting that and if he is fit he can be that pacey striker we wanted.
    He has never been prolific but if he is given a run upfront who knows?

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  4. Alright lads, haven’t commented in a while been very busy.

    Good article Toonsy, he has been very unlucky with his injuries and we just need to give him time to get his fitness when he’s back training. I think that he showed so much promise in that Everton game that we are now expecting a lot. I’m sure he’ll be able to do a good job for us and we all need to be patient with him and allow him time to integrate into the squad.

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  5. we have been a jinxed club…alll are best players have suffered football ending injuries…nothing more…shearer..just starting his career at newcastle…owen…duff…even smith…ben arfa…even if smith and duff dont count for much..but they did cost a lot money in wages…

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  6. I think too much faith has been put into Ben Arfa by fans. He has been out the vast majority of him being at the club and he is heralded as being the player to completely transform us.

    It will give everyone a boost when he is back but I think people need to chill out a bit and stop acting like it’s the third coming of Jesus Christ

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  7. I think everyone feels that this guy could be a world class player for us, I just hope it materialises. I’m excited at the prospect of him showing us what he can do!

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  8. Btw, good to be back, been full of flu over last 3/4 days, haven’t been able to face the glare of the laptop.

    Scanning back, I see I have missed Joey
    Barton discussion and everyone calling Llambias a ****….nowt new there then!

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  9. Moreno – I agree. As is often the way with newcastle if we build up our hopes we are normally let down. But if we are cautious NUFC will often suprise us!

    Look at our start to the season as evidence of that…. HBA will be a good player but if we dont go crazy about him he could suprise us

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  10. ime with toonsy on this one i think he has been unlucky,also it shows he will tend to be a target in games players will have a go at him which goes to prove he is a threat to them all the “better”players in a team will be a target its the evil of the game you get on with it,lets not expect to much of the lad give him time and he will still pick up little niggles through being out so long ie hammys,strains,ect,look at him again 10 or so games down the line

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  11. Not seen enough of him to pass judgement.
    I think the plan was for Partridge to build a team around him,seems very fragile so can’t see that happening any time soon.

    Great player on paper but can’t see him starting many games without picking up more injuries or niggles.

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  12. Moreno- I agree. As is the way with NUFC if we get our hopes up we are often let down, but if we are more cautious we are generally suprised. Look at the start of our season for evidence of that,

    HBA will be a good player for us but we shouldnt go too crazy as he may turn out to be a one trick pony

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  13. MORENO..we havnt got much 2 talk about at newcastle…if he is are only hope then why shouldnt people have some dreams about him doing very well for us..i hope he comes back right..the kid wonted 2 come here..full stop and if he can get back 2 what he did at everton..we have a super star on are hands..we wont people talking about us in the right way and if ben arfa does that he will put us on the map..as teams to talk about..not the mess that is going on at newcastle…

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  14. toonsy.. we cant know if he is going to be injury prone or not yet as he has only played the one game in 18 months cos he is always out injured! 🙂

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  15. ASIM,

    See, that’s where I personally differ from a lot of fans. I couldn’t really care if people ‘talk about us in the right way’ as you put it. Bit of a Millwall mentality with me that if nobody likes us I really don’t care, I actually enjoy it more when they don’t.

    People get so caught up with how the media paint us, like pictures of Mike Ashley stripping. Think some fans should be embarrassed about their reactions to that to be honest….but hey ho….

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  16. i think that benny boy will become an absolute star for us, i really do. he has got alot of pressure on his shoulders but i think he will love that and want to prove the fans right and give back for the unfortunate amount of time he has been out.

    got visions of him and cabaye being our version of messi and xavi!!

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  17. ALREET LADS!! not on 4 long , away to newcastle cos its my BIRTHDAY!!! bluddy 29!!! off to shop with the mrs will be back on 2nyt!! catch yous later

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  18. Just been reading his wiki page and it seems that there is no mention of injuries until he came here,can’t wait to watch him again.

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  19. Moreno tbh I found the stripping pics funny and to me it shows him as just one of the lads, that has a drink and a laugh, a bit like when he was a fan and seemed to enjoy being with the rest of the fans as one of them.

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  20. Cheers toonsy.

    Does anyone else just think pardew may be on holiday taking a deserved break?

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  21. Ben Arfa still needs time to recover from his broken leg, it will be weak for some time to come yet. I broke my ankle at 16 and it took 2yrs plus for me to kick a ball properly without discomfort.

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  22. Sorry for the negativity, but if he comes back and sets the league alight which he certainly has the potential to do, then we can say bye bye to Mr Ben Arfa.

    We’re in a no win situation, no more heroes, if they are good they will be sold. We’ll maybe get one or two seasons out of him if we’re lucky regardless of injuries.

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  23. Liam – Dunno. You don’t need to register on here to get an avatar though 🙂

    Agree with Moreno. Couldn’t give a toss what Ashley does in his spare time.

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  24. Couple of things.

    RE: Ben Arfa – No, he is not injury prone, but instead have been placed with the curse of Newcastle, a famouse curse in which great players are hit with serious injuries. Also agree with the sentiments of Mr. Moreno, he will need time back and we shouldnt expect the third coming of jebus.

    Secondly – Army many gratulations!

    Third – Brisvegas, when do the aussie league start and do you have any pre season games? I see you’ve just signed Issey-Ferran from my local club, so just curios to follow him.

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  25. Army69, Happy Birthday youngun.

    Ben Arfa, hmmm. I’m mixed feelings on this one. Yeah, I’d agree he’s been unlucky with two bad ones, but he does look a little lightweight to me. Only way we’ll find out is if we see him string a run of 10 games or so together. I hope he is cut out for the physicality of the Premiership, but that one is still on the table for me.

    I’d also agree with Moreno, very much so. Although he showed flashes of brilliance in the Everton game, in the game before against Blackpool he looked like a kid who’d lost his mam in Eldon Square.

    I’m not placing too much responsibility on this lad’s shoulders, but I am really looking forward to seeing what he’s made of. Hopefully very soon……

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  26. @31

    Season kicks off on October 8 . Bought my season ticket last week. It’s been 6 months since the last season finished so there’s been a number of pre-season games already – mostly against state league sides. I’m a bit sick of pre-bloody-season tbh, too freakin’ long. There are some A-league friendlies coming up in the next couple of weeks.

    So what’s this guy like? He has big boots to fill. He’s replacing our club captain, who has signed for Rangers.

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  27. a bit off topic but who ever started the mith about pards falling out with ash and walking out on friday is talking a load of balonie!!!!(im very close to the club!) believe me all is fine with pards and ash..lol

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  28. Don’t think you can compare the two. Ben Arfa suffered that shocking first one through no fault of his own or his body. Just need to give the lad time over the next season or two to see how he goes. He’s bound to get some niggles until he’s been playing for a while/

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  29. Divint worry, John. I think most people on here are smart enough to take everything Bobby Bullshit says with a huge pinch of salt.

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  30. Brisvegas – He is very quick and quite good technically. He can play both striker, attacking mid and winger. He has played at Nordsjaelland, who based there play on the ground with good passing and technically good young players. Horsens, his recent club, has played more direct most of the time, and he often played as a striker there, but he was also sometimes paired with another of thier small striker. So you could say he is very flexible aswell.
    To me he is a very good player for a danish team, so I guess he will be good in Austrailia as well.

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  31. Didn’t really want to mention it again but what pains me about this past window is that a top 15 million quid striker and a fit Ben Arfa and there would be no reason no to be competing for 6th spot. Instead we are relying on a number of ‘decent’ strikers to pinch a top half spot.

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  32. He should fit in well with Brisbane’s style of play, then. We’re not called Roarcelona for nothing. Unbeaten for 28 games straight.

    Brisbane is an example of a team where the system is bigger than any of the players. The club is just about the poorest in the league but it won everything in sight last year. Just shows that money doesn’t always talk. Having a good coach and a unique brand of football was the key.

    Looking forward to games in the Asian Champs League next year. Might even go to China to see them play. Never been to China. It seems like a good excuse.

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  33. Moreno, I’ve said it before, could turn out to be the difference between 7th and 14th. We’re so close to having a quality side. We’re currently lacking firepower. We can keep all the clean sheets in the world, but if we can’t pop ’em in at the other end it’s pointless.

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  34. Brisvegas – Roarcelona? 🙂 I might fancy catching a game on stream then hehe.
    But you sound a lot like his former club Nordsjaelland, so it sounds like a good match.

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  35. IF Ba and Best can work out then it could be a very good partnership but I agree with Moreno at 39.

    Not only could it of been the difference between finishing higher it would of given us so much flexibility in terms of the forward line, instead we’re worrying that if Ba and Best get injured we’re stuck with Shola and Lovenkrands…

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  36. I think that between ba and best if they are fit can get 20-25 goals.

    Shola even could get 10 if fit.

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  37. Agreed, people jump on the wagon and say Ashley is signing crocked players and then point at Ben Arfa. Its an absolute joke to be honest, can’t wait to see the lad playing again!

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  38. Personally I think that when these injuries are fully recovered an he is playing week in week out an IF he continues scoring goals it wouldn’t supprise me if he gets the no9 shirt. Afterall he can play cf! An I would give the shirt to him! Just my opinion like.

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