Jack

Hatem often plays with at least two defenders against him. When Debuchy goes behind him and drag a defender, Hatem can play a one versus one situation. With his choices, Pardew leads him to think that the only way for him to become a starter, is to score goals, to make assists or to win a penalty. Since he has no time when he comes in, and the team struggles to play well, he thinks the best way is to rely on himself and he can forget to play with Debuchy. He plays with the sense of urgency whereas he has to be a lot more composed. When a player has such dribbling skills, it's more difficult for him to keep the right balance between playing selfish and unselfish. Hatem has no indications on whether he will start or not the next match, he doesn't know exactly what Pardew expects from him in his game plan and what his place in the team is.

From goal.com: 65′ Ben Arfa still going at the Cardiff back four. He has been a constant nuisance all game, such a talented player. I still hope he will start against Manchester City, he did pretty well against them sooner this season. Yanga Mbiwa can cover him.

Slight ankle injury.

According to a french journalist, he's going to Marseille for two days before coming back.

Amazing!

1 start in the last 11 games. 3 times he stayed on the bench during all the match. The only time he started, he was the man of the match. But everything is ok, for sure...

For this he needs to play, and for everything else. That's what he lacked during all his career, nobody trusted really in him, and Pardew is still not trusting in him completely. Every time there have been something, behaviour problems, injuries, tactical concerns. The only times he had the opportunity to be a starter during several months without those problems, he has been good and very helpful for his team. Since he's playing for Newcastle he has improved a lot, in his behaviour, in his work rate, in his game. Despite the lack of game plan, the critics of his coach, the injuries, he's still showing a good attitude and he deserves to play because his team need him. I don't think Pardew doesn't like him, but he has his own ideas and Hatem doesn't fit. So, Hatem can be a problem for him, not because of his work rate or because he holds too much the ball. Hatem is a special player but he simply needs to play football, with a game plan, team mates with good technique and good movements. I don't think it's too much to ask. Pardew should make changes not only for the team, but also for him as a coach. If he wants to be a top coach, he needs to improve in the game. He's made the first thing to do, he found a balanced team with a good spirit, the next thing to do is to find how the team can play better while keeping the team balanced. He has the players to do it, he just needs to use them.

People act like if the team was playing very well, and Hatem was spoiling everything.

The only way to score was to make the difference individually, that's what he tried to do. He at least put pressure on Arsenal's defense. Unfortunately there were less spaces for him when Arsenal scored, there was also too much long balls, no game plan and his team mates started to get tired. Wenger was scared by Ben Arfa and put Flamini left back because he would have destroyed Gibbs.

It's a shame that Pardew isn't able to find a balanced team with Ben Arfa on the right. It's not normal that he has to play with 4 midfielders in a 4-3-3. I would understand if this were temporary but it's not the case.

I don't think that the aim should be to neutralize Arsenal but to give them problems. Otherwise, they will be able to play their game.

Pardew is showing him that the team don't need him, but also that he can be a danger against the team. He hasn't played for a month, he has lost his shape. Pardew like to play in 4-4-2, with athletic players on the sides, long balls and crosses. There's no reason Pardew will change, the only way Hatem can come back is poor results, and that's very sad. It's a dead end unfortunately.

No. http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/go-magpies/406611

Was that supposed to be funny?

Can somebody tell what's the game plan of Pardew since two years, other than throwing long balls to the forwards or counting on Hatem to make the difference alone? Some fans are wondering if Ben Arfa is a team player, but is there any game plan? I mean, the team hasn't changed excepting some arrivals and the departure of Demba Ba. But I still don't know what Pardew is trying to do. At first I was thinking that he had some difficulties to deal with the injuries but now I'm wondering if he's not simply lost. If he doesn't know what to do, at least Ben Arfa should be more focusing on how he'll score, than how he will defend. For instance sometimes he has to play nearly like a right back when Debuchy gets close to the central back, how can he play the counter attack whereas he's one of the only chances to score?

He played on the left, with two or three defenders against him. I dont know what Pardew was expecting from him and from the team in the first half, Remy was too lonely, Tiote Sissoko and Anita were unable to create something. Newcastle with and without Cabaye is not the same team. It's not surprising that the team was better in second half. Looks like to me that Pardew made him pay for the poor first half of the team, I hope he won't take it too badly but I'm not sure.

It's a crime to play so many long balls with him on the pitch. The best actions came when the team was playing with short passes. When Colo or Yanga Mbiwa were getting the ball, instead of playing with each other and try to find a mildfielder or a full back, they play with Krul and then he throws long balls directly to the opponents. It's completely inefficient.

2015 He looked quite fit against Manchester City, I hope he will make a great match!

Stupid journalist !

The offer for Gignac is huge, he's a good player but Marseille could sell him for half of this price, they can't afford to pay his wage et desperatly want to sell him. He's injury prone too.

Good defensive efforts,he looked involved.Unfortunately he's not fit yet and there wasn't any space.

:fingers crossed:

8 key passes on this match,how could he do more?

Ben Arfa didn't play as a play maker,we can't wait from him to have more impact.

We will know next tuesday but he will play Euro,it's almost sure.