Segun Oluwaniyi Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Just out of curiosity, a mackem i know, has just said after HBA's latest comments, ‘Cazorla/Ozil/Walcott/Mata/Hazard/Oscar/Eriksen are all better than Ben Arfa’, how many of them would you agree with? Or is there anyone else in the league that is better who he hasn’t said? I would agree with all except Eriksen and Oscar. Neither of those two have proven anything yet and I think Oscar will actually spend most of his career playing further back as a pure central midfielder, though a top quality one, once he gains some kilos of muscle. Cazorla is about even, imo. I think Ozil, Mata, and Hazard are just better footballers. Ozil and Mata have vision and passing range beyond Ben Arfa and provide more for their team game to game. Hazard is a few months older than Shane Ferguson and either the best or second player on one of the best teams in England. I rate the guy extremely highly, and he is also a great athlete who works extremely hard in every game I've ever seen him play. Walcott is a very different type of player, and definitely less aesthetically pleasing, but he has been incredibly productive for Arsenal since about the turn of the decade. The boy has matured into a verifiable Lethal Weapon. Ben Arfa is one of the most naturally gifted players on the planet with the ball at his feet and his best matches any player other than the two pillars in La Liga, but he has never played at his best for an extended period of time (a full season) at any point in his career and I am not sure he ever will. Twenty-six year old wide players generally are who they will be at the end of things. It is my opinion that he will remain inconsistent and frustrating in terms of comparison with the world's best for the rest of his career, but at the same time will be someone who is a fantastic entertainer who can win matches on his own, while also being the best player at this football club for years to come. From the perspective of a fullback, though, Ben Arfa is the one I would least want to face. The others will beat you. Hatem will embarrass you and shatter your confidence as a man on his day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrettNUFC Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 See i would have him more like a Hazard then a Cazorla, just opinions and how you see the game i suppose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Snrub Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Application hasn't been a problem for HBA since he arrived here. It's injuries that have set him back, not end product or consistency. I think it's churlish to suggest otherwise. People talk about confidence and form and things like that with players. For me, only injuries have affected Ben Arfa, nothing else. Injuries haven't helped but it would be churlish to say he hasn't been inconsistent at best. It's churlish to keep coming into this thread just to slate the best player we've had in years and say x player is better or has proven more. He has has been responsible for every goal we've scored this season. Just enjoy what we are very lucky to have. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I do enjoy( he's probably my favourite player ffs ) and i'm doing no such thing, i didn't bring it up to start with i'm adding to the conversation which had already been started by somebody else. I just unlike some people realise Hatem isn't perfect and can improve, carry on though. Saying i'm slating Hatem because i notice he's inconsistent and doesn't provide the sort of end product he should instead of digging my head in the sand is quite frankly pathetic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrettNUFC Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Our best player in first half against City, mom against West Ham, came off bench to win us the game against Morecambe, won mom against Fulham, another mom against Villa… needs to get some consistency this fella. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Snrub Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 i notice he's inconsistent and doesn't provide the sort of end product he should And it's daft to just blame Ben Arfa for this when he's had to play in disciplined 4-4-2 and do a lot of defensive work on a regular basis. You think someone like Theo Walcott would have had the same effect he did last season if he had to work under the same circumstances? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_NUFC Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Our best player in first half against City, mom against West Ham, came off bench to win us the game against Morecambe, won mom against Fulham, another mom against Villa… needs to get some consistency this fella. Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_NUFC Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 The biggest worry is not HBA or his anything he does, it's that the hopes, goals and dreams of the entire fucking club are placed on him and him alone to execute. We need someone else even half as good as him in the side, hopefully Remy can fix that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Ben Arfa is better than all the players named on the last page, he's the only one mad enough to come here and that put's him head and shoulders above the rest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiresias Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Unlike the club, Ben Arfa has ambition. He seems to love it here, but if he starts to think we're holding him back a lot he'll go. Having said that have a funny feeling he does appreciate the fans and wouldn't do even a Cabaye and would want to at least leave on a good note. Having said all that, he has his head in the clouds and believes he can achieve everything, he's not going to wilt under the pressure he's going to try and drag the whole team with him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiresias Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Ben Arfa is better than all the players named on the last page, he's the only one mad enough to come here and that put's him head and shoulders above the rest. :snod: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) tweeted at 8:31 am on Tue, Sep 17, 2013: Ben Arfa: 'In 20-30 years, i want people to mention me with Platini, ZZ, Maradona, Pele... when talking about past greats' (FF) It's this sort of astonishing self delusion and amazing talent which makes him even more endearing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRC Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 He's better than Pele tbh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hatem garrincha Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Inconsistent my arse. He's been brilliant when fit, and a joy to watch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hatem garrincha Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 This season is the moment of thruth for Hatem if he can stay injury free. I hope it'll be the season of all the promises and it'll continue in the long term. I hope he'll radically and once for all shut up some frogs mouthes (there're plenty) who hate the difference and players who don't fit the traditional mould of the french football formation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) tweeted at 8:31 am on Tue, Sep 17, 2013: Ben Arfa: 'In 20-30 years, i want people to mention me with Platini, ZZ, Maradona, Pele... when talking about past greats' (FF) Why Hatem, why do you need to include that shite into an overall good interview ? Can't believe he omitted Lampard tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interpolic Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I said he couldn't spend so much time on the sidelines again because he's taking up valuable wages and our owner is tight. I stand by that, if he ends up spending half the season out injured again then we'll be seeing plenty of Jonas and maybe even Obertan so it might require a re-think. If we can keep him fit most of the time then of course he's one of our most indispensable players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I said he couldn't spend so much time on the sidelines again because he's taking up valuable wages and our owner is tight. I stand by that, if he ends up spending half the season out injured again then we'll be seeing plenty of Jonas and maybe even Obertan so it might require a re-think. If we can keep him fit most of the time then of course he's one of our most indispensable players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 i notice he's inconsistent and doesn't provide the sort of end product he should And it's daft to just blame Ben Arfa for this when he's had to play in disciplined 4-4-2 and do a lot of defensive work on a regular basis. You think someone like Theo Walcott would have had the same effect he did last season if he had to work under the same circumstances? Well of course, any player would struggle in our setup that is obvious but still fact of the matter is what ever the reasons are Hatem hasn't been as productive as his talent level says he should be. I hope this season is when that changes, nothing would please me more than to see a Bale like blowout for HBA. ( but he stays of course) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belfast Mags Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 The key thing for Benny this season, is keep fit and injury free. Everything else, he has in abundance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFEE Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 He was on Total Sport tonight... Did anybody catch what he had to say?... No doubt on iPlayer soon... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest VanBarduck Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 He was on Total Sport tonight... Did anybody catch what he had to say?... No doubt on iPlayer soon... It's on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duo Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Just out of curiosity, a mackem i know, has just said after HBA's latest comments, ‘Cazorla/Ozil/Walcott/Mata/Hazard/Oscar/Eriksen are all better than Ben Arfa’, how many of them would you agree with? Or is there anyone else in the league that is better who he hasn’t said? Don't forget James McLean. Ozil/hazard/mata for me. But definitely not miles ahead of him and I don't think any of them could score the Bolton/Blackburn goals tbh I wouldn't trade him for any of them. We've yet to see the best of Benny. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattoon Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 First on every team sheet, we should be playing to his strengths and building our team around him. I think Remy will give most oppositions more to worry about now and we won't see HBA crowded off the ball as much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts