Arsene Wenger was once keen on signing Hatem Ben Arfa, when the French winger was at Lyon, and could/should (in my opinion) rekindle his interest in the 25-year-old, after the Newcastle playmaker recently admitted that he would consider a ‘really serious’ proposition from a bigger club this summer.
Despite expressing his happiness at Newcastle, Ben Arfa, who was the third highest goal scorer for Alan Pardew’s side last season with six goals in all competitions, said:
‘Newcastle are a very big club, even if there are bigger ones.
‘If I do not have a really, really serious proposal, I’ll stay.
‘If a big club comes, but does not propose something interesting – that is to say, the coach really wants me – I’ll stay.’
The France international then went on to commend his current club and their fans for their support and says he has settled well at Newcastle:
‘I have settled in that team, I have trust from the coach, chairman and all the fans. I have never been settled like that.’
I don’t know about you guys but I would love to see Wenger revive his interest in Ben Arfa this summer.
The former Lyon and Marseille man is exactly what we are looking for, especially if the likes of Andrey Arshavin, Park Chu-Young and Abou Diaby are sold on.
The versatile French winger possesses pace and agility in abundance, as well as great technique, dribbling skill and creativity. He looks an Arsenal player to me and would do well for our club.
The only stumbling block in this potential move would be the transfer fee, as Ben Arfa still has three years left to run on his existing contract, meaning Newcastle will more than likely demand a commanding fee – should they consider selling – and rightly so after the season the Frenchman had at the Sports Direct Arena.
I imagine a lot of top European clubs will be circling Ben Arfa after his latest comments this summer. I just hope we’re one of them!
What do you guys think – Should Wenger rekindle his interest in Ben Arfa this summer?
Give us your thought on the matter below
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He’s better than Nasri imo. Similarly talented, but seems more positive in his play and more able to make and score chances than Samir. Would be a great signing for Arsenal if it were possible, but I think they’d ask for a lot of money.
Good lad, but I’d prefer Affelay, he’s a terrific player and great friends with Van Persie, and seem to click greatly on the pitch, so why not him?
both were crap tonight…!!
If signing a player depended on a single display like last night’s, no one would buy a Dutch player, because they were all awful. However, that has never been the case, brother. It remains that they are terrific players, just as the French players flopped at the 2002 World Cup, but shone again.
He also looks a Newcastle player to me! Mitts off!
Well what can i say you lot really are day dreamers, Hatem Ben Arfa has quite openly said he wants to stay at Newcastle for the long term but would move ONLY if an extraordinary offer came in but it would have to be amazing offer and quite frankly Arse’n’hole have nothing to offer that we couldn’t.
“The Newcastle playmaker recently admitted that he would consider a ‘really serious’ proposition from a bigger club this summer”.
You have answered your own question, why would he leave a club on the up for a one on the wain?
Maybe a few years ago I would have been concerned but I do think you Gooners need a dose of reality. You no longer dine at the Real, Barca or even Man City’s table any more.
Slightly above Newcastle perhaps but no significant improvement for Ben Arfa.
I agree Newcastle are a team on the rise, whilst Arsenal are in apparent decline.
Of course Arsenal have never been at par with Real or Barca. Never! However, I can’t understand what you mean by branding Arsenal ‘a team on the wane’. Arsenal finished the season with 70 points, three better than the season before. Is that a downward trend?
Arsenal spent more money last summer than the previous seasons to bring in the likes of Arteta, Gervinho, Mertesacker, Santos, Benayoun, Chamberlain. Is that a wane? Arsenal finished third, the first time in four-five years, and you call that a wane?
Get serious Mr. Write with the stats on your side, not what your deceptive mind tells you. Newcastle may have finished 5th, but they will never better Arsenal, and you know that. They will never have the stature of AFC, they will never win the trophies Arsenal have.
In fact they even surprised themselves by finishing 5th, and they most probably will not replicate that feat, I bet you. Arsenal are certain to finish in the top four next season, and they can also move better and win the Premiership, because that’s their ambition every time a season starts.
Arsenal are a much better club than you’re willing to give them credit for, and so moving to Arsenal is surely a move up for Ben Arfa, brother. I’m sure even your conviction tells you exactly that.
Arteta, Gervinho, Mertesacker, Santos, Benayoun!!
Hardly Petite, Bergkamp, Viera, Adams or Henry I think even you will agree?
My perception of Arsenal being on the wain was originally gained from the copious amount of Arsenal fans screaming for Arsene’s head last season, the bin bag protest etc. coupled with the panic buy of Mertesacker, something that would never of happened a few years ago.
You accuse me of of not using facts to back up my comments then go on to say Newcastle will NEVER win trophies please let me know where you got those facts from.
I have seen my team torn apart both home and away by Arsenal on more occassions than i care to remember. Last season was 0-0 and 2-1 the latter via an injury time winner with Newcastle piling forward at the time, not the 3 or 4 goal romps of the past.
It may not be what you want to hear my friend but alas I feel it’s true.
You should have been a west ham fan mate cos your heads in a bubble. Yes you finished higher than us, yes you wasted a shedload more money than us,and yes you hav e a cupboard full of pots, but can you honestly say that on current form, you are any better than us, I think not. Now remind me please, is it gooners or GONNERS.!
Everybody wants our players. Everyone one of our first team players has been linked with a move away. I suppose when V.Persie is sold to Man City then Wenger might spend some money 😉
Listen… As a realistic toon fan i realise that Arsenal are a bigger name than us, but not by allot, you guys can offer champions league and a better chance at getting it again next year perhaps, we shall see on that. But you get the feeling that HBA are talking about a huge club here, one he couldnt resist, and that im afraid is NOT Arsenal. We are talking a promise of a vital role at Barca, Real or Man Utd here and lets be honest, he havnt done nearly enough to get those kinds of promises yet, so if you are a betting man, bet on him being a toon player again next season.
I don’t mind interest in our players from clubs like Arsenal – it’s when we get told by the London media that little Tottenham, with their massive 36,000 crowds, are a “big club” are after our players – that is when I get annoyed!!
Big club my a*se
Interest in our players from CL clubs is an unfortunate result of us having a great season – not to mention scouting set up. Ashley can hold out for £20m for Arfa now, which would be a big gamble on a flair player, who has only just found his feet in this league. Feasible we will finish above arsenal next season – especially if RVP is sold.
RVP is unlikely to be sold, might leave on a free but not sold, and you had a great season last year, where we had a really bad one, that’s why you were close and even then there were two clubs between us.
You had the best prep to come into the season, we came in with our worse summer, and still finished above you, hopefully if we are well prepared we should hopefully finish above you and closer to the winners if that isn’t us.
Do you think Newcastle are good enough to finish closer to the winners?
Dream on … HBA is toon thro and thro, why go to a mediocre club?