Hatem Ben Arfa (now retired?)

[duo]

 

[Infinitely Content]

Ben Arfa remains something of a secret, an inner-knowledge only Newcastle fans know in England. I think other fans see him as just another flair player like Boufal, Taarabt, Bolasie etc. I don't think many realise he's one of the greatest talents to ever play in the premier league. 

Evra is given Nasri, Benzema and Ben Arfa - yet he's immediately swooning over Hatem. Rightly so.

 

 

Edited Friday at 18:09 by Infinitely Content

[Hanshithispantz]

Ah god remember the Ben Arfa cams after every match? 

 

Great times.

[Hanshithispantz]

Don't think I've seen the last one before. What an absolute pervert.

 

 

 

 

Edited Friday at 18:14 by Hanshithispantz

[Sima]

The most technically gifted player I’ve seen play for us.

 

And that includes Beardsley.

[ChrisMcQuillan]

He had that touch of genius that I've really only seen in Messi, George Best and probably Ronaldo Nazario. Obviously he wasn't able to produce it on a consistent basis, but when HBA was on form, my god. What a player to watch.

[TRC]

Most talented player I've ever seen play live.

[NSG]

God I miss this beautiful cunt.

 

What a player.

[TheBrownBottle]

3 hours ago, Sima said:

The most technically gifted player I’ve seen play for us.

 

And that includes Beardsley.

He wasn't as gifted as Beardsley for me, though he runs him close.  There was no conspiracy against him, mind - that he didn't become one of the world's great players is down to him and his attitude.  HBA should've been a generational great - but he wasn't; he had moments where his obvious talent was apparent.

[duo]

Ben Arfa under Eddie Howe  he just needed the right man to guide him.  

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Doubt I’ll ever see a player with such explosiveness combined with incredible touch and unbelievable awareness of the space around him. 
 

The way he could beat someone by just touching the ball perfectly into the few inches of space they couldn’t reach. 
 

Really would’ve been something if he could fit in a bit more and follow a few instructions. Incredible player. 

[Yorkie]

I dunno if I've ever fallen head over heels for someone like I did for Hatem. Bruno probably the closest. They're quite comparable as players for me; not really in style but in how - when they arrived - we hadn't seen a player of such quality in years. 

[Holloway]

Only got to a handful of games during his time here, but when I did attend and he was benched I was agitated to fuck. I'd spend the whole of the second half muttering to myself 'put him on, you cunt'

[Anderson]

1 hour ago, duo said:

Ben Arfa under Eddie Howe  he just needed the right man to guide him.  

 

Pretty sure Eddie would've hated him.

 

He came along 20 years too late, HBA & Keegan would've been a match made in heaven.