The man with all the flair, composure and skill to be tipped as the next Ronaldinho. One of few who could stand around and do nothing for 89 minutes, and then pull out an exquisite piece of magic in the last to win his team the game. The man who let himself go – in more ways than one – when he had it all to conquer. The man who’s now kept quiet and formed his remarkable resurgence.
Gérard Houllier once described Ben Arfa as “a genius”, Didier Deschamps says that “He has the ability to make the difference with one move,” and David Ginola was also quick to add praise, “Hatem is an amazingly talented player from France… He is a player that can produce magic when nobody expects it.”
It’s been some turn of events for the player who started his professional career with Lyon. Just last season, Ben Arfa was barred from playing professionally by Fifa after representing both Newcastle United and Hull. The French international had to take an enforced six months out of the game – a perfect timescale to regain his thoughts and composure.
Ben Arfa is emblematic of a player who can produce the desired and extraordinary magic when nobody expects it. From absolutely anywhere on the pitch, too. That’s the utter brilliance that you just can’t teach.
Ben Arfa’s career have reached highs, playing for France in Euro 2012 and being on an established list of winners for winning Trophées UNFP du football. And lows, being banned by Fifa and gaining a vast amount of weight. However, we can only focus on the present and not the past or the future, and the form he is in right now is truly too good to ignore.
With his time off, Ben Arfa went back to his roots – in Tunis, Tunisia. “I went back to the Tunis neighbourhood where I grew up,” he revealed in a recent interview. “It was important to go back. I found old childhood friends. In Tunis, I forgot I was a footballer. I lived a different life. I went to cafes. I found the images and sensations of my childhood.”
“I stayed in the fog a long time, a little lost, a little disorientated. Last winter I was going through an inner conflict. In my head a little devil was telling me to ‘let it [football] go’ and an angel [was] saying ‘don’t let it go’. It was a real fight. I was a prisoner. I had the feeling of being locked in a dark place without a door. I saw hell.”
It was obviously important for Ben Arfa to remind himself of where his origins lay and how far he’s come. To recover his football ability, he’d first need to regain control of his own mindset. And he did just that.
It’s like the Ben Arfa of old has come back out to play. Magical, magisterial runs from half-way, dizzying six defenders, giving the keeper the eyes and slotting it past him with supposedly his weaker foot – and yes, that did happen, in a Ligue Un match vs St Étienne back in September.
Scoring seven goals in 13 appearances, at a rate of a goal every 154 minutes, is truly spectacular from an attacking midfielder who sits behind two strikers. Ben Arfa tucks in-behind the two strikers – Alassane Pléa and Valère Germain – in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation deployed by Claude Puel.
Why Ben Arfa excels in such a tactical formation is the pure freedom he gets in-behind the two focal points of the team. When attacking, Pléa and Germain can peel off into wider areas, with Ben Arfa rising through the middle and taking on defenders one-by-one, something he’s perfectly suited for.
Ben Arfa’s always had a good footballing brain, he just hasn’t always applied it, because he loses concentration and becomes incredibly lazy. Although we are only three months into the new season, the Nice playmaker seems committed to his new team and approaching games with a more matured stance. With this type of demeanour, it has earned him a call-up to the France squad for the first time in three years.
He played well vs Germany at the Stade de France, finding pockets of space in-between the German midfield and defence, but like against England at Wembley on Tuesday night, there were greater matters that dwarfed those of football.
Hatem Ben Arfa’s now 28-years-old, he’s only got one more real chance of showing the world that he can perform consistency at the level that we all know he’s capable of. It would be such a shame if he derailed again and wasted such a special gift.
About the author – Liam Canning
Liam is a free-lance journalist who has featured on The Mirror, Telegraph, London Evening Standard, Independent, Squawka and FoutFourTwo.
His name echoed from the terraces straight in his debut game, but what exactly did Aleksandar Mitrovi? do to deserve such an openhearted support from the Newcastle faithful after only a handful of Premier League games?
Steve McClaren wowed to bring revolution to Tyneside.
He succeeded. Despite being considered an old-fashioned soccer manager, during some 130 days of his mandate so far, Newcastle boss has implemented some modern footballing traits is his team’s play, at the same time investing in discipline, refurbished training regime and playing style. But most of all, he invested in bringing fresh blood to St James’ Park.
More than £50 million for the club of Newcastle’s (current) stature was more than hefty, and it showed a drastic change in club’s policy. Of all the players that were added during summer, name of the Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovi? stood out from the beginning. With Charlie Austin waiting for the Premier League clubs with his arms wide open, more than few Newcastle fans believed that McClaren had made a mistake in bringing an undisciplined youngster from Eastern Europe instead of the experienced Premier League striker.
Their doubts were well argued. From his first steps as the professional footballer, Aleksandar Mitrovi? has been followed by stigma, disbelief, and criticism. However, his convincing displays at Partizan and later at Belgian giants Anderlecht, where he scored 44 goals in 90 games, were strong counterarguments. Part Drogba, part Materazzi, this self-proclaimed Serbian Mario Balotelli was more interested in outrageous hairstyles and on-pitch antics than in his football at the beginning of his career, and Newcastle fans who knew their way around Serbian football simply knew what to expect.
But Steve McClaren succeeded in what many before him failed to accomplish. It took him some polishing work as two yellow cards in Mitrovic’s opening two games for Newcastle and then a red one against Arsenal are there to confirm it, but he managed to contain him. Goals against Manchester City and Norwich most recently are not something to go by, but statistics are hiding one important aspect of Mitrovic’s instant influence – the excitement.
This 21-year-old is an exotic specimen which is well recognized by the Newcastle family.
“From the second you see his name on the teamsheet your body seems to be overcome by a certain element of excitement and nervousness as you count down the minutes until kick off. There’s a roaring fire within his belly which simply cannot be taught, and from that fire comes a burning passion to drive forward and make a positive impact on the field, dragging his team-mates with him along the way”, an ecstatic fan wrote in an open ‘love letter’ to Aleksandar Mitrovi? after the Norwich game, published by gallowgateshots.com.
Hidden between these lines there lies the real reason behind infatuation with Mitrovi?. Newcastle fans have long suffered with their unconvincing attacking line. Looking back over a ten-year period and the last season Alan Shearer played at St James’ Park (2005-2006), none of the players who wore the Newcastle shirt managed to get out of the legend’s shadow. Michael Owen did his best, so did Obafemi Martins, Shola Ameobi. Marko Viduka tried, Andy Carroll was sold just when he was supposed to’ explode’. Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba are players of different kind.
Mere glimpse of Mitrovi?’s ability was more than enough to bring back fine memories of fans’ most loved one, of the legend. Their search was over, disbelief promptly transferred to hope and eagerness. They want it to be him, they want this bad boy from Serbia to be the striker Shearer once was. Not the false nine, not the wide player, but real, genuine striker.
Someone who will make his aerial presence known, someone to hold the ball firmly to his feet, someone to blaze in the net – near, far, from every angle possible. Someone brave.
With the right guidance the Serbian striker could indeed be their man, and Mitrovi? is by no means afraid of accepting the label of Shearer’s successor. But the fans have put all their hopes upon the young man’s shoulders and they must also take the responsibility to themselves. Immature, juvenile and obstinate, Aleksandar Mitrovi? is unpredictable in nature. Wild. Easily broken.
But handled with care, he can fulfill their dreams, and his own.
About the author – Miloš Markovic
Sports journalist from Serbia, Editor in Cheif at Sportske.net and contributor to FutbolgradLive. Worked with Inforstrada and FIFA covering Serbia’s international games during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Following last season’s train wreck, Newcastle United’s fans have amultitude of reasons to be excited about the 2015/16 campaign.
To start with, installing Steve McClaren as their new manager is a greatdecision, for he’s a man with vast experience who loves the game and isn’t afraid to try things. Plus, you know he’s always up for a challenge, his time in Holland and Germany depicts this suitably.
While he endured some joyous highs and desperate lows throughout theserespective stints, he, unlike many British managers, impressively had theself-confidence to test himself and give it a crack.
His Dutch title with Twente was undoubtedly the highlight, with thisincredible achievement holding extra significance as it was the first in the club’s history. His time at Wolfsburg, where he only lasted ninemonths, signalled a disheartening low.
For an Englishman to even obtain the top job with the 2009 Bundesliga champions was a massive achievement in itself, though. After all, when he took over he became the first Englishman ever to manage a top flight German side. The Volkswagen owned outfit knew he had the talent, for winning the Dutch league with a team other than PSV or Ajax showcased his tremendous capabilities.
Although things didn’t work out for him in Germany, with the Diego-PatrickHelmes penalty debacle sealing his fate, the experience definitely made him stronger and further broadened his knowledge.Even though his time at Derby ending sourly too, his tenure at the Championship club still had an overriding sense of positivity attached to
it. In spite of yet another setback, the man who rose to prominence courtesy of his excellent work as an assistant under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, and then subsequently at Middlesbrough, whom he took to League Cup glory and reached the Uefa Cup final with, remained in demand.
McClaren never doubts himself and his powers of recovery are rather impressive. Following his failed England tenure, he worked wonders at Twente. Then, after torrid times at Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest and in his second stint at Twente, he eventually got himself back on track with the Rams.Now at Newcastle, you know he’ll be striving vigorously to get the clubback to where they belong. Bringing in the highly-rated young Scottish coach Ian Cathro, from Valencia, is another huge addition. Leaving Champions League-qualified Valencia and his great mate, Nuno Espirito Santo, wouldn’t have been an easy decision for Cathro to make, but the 29-year-old obviously saw the opportunity to move to the Premier League, and to work with McClaren, as impossible to resist.
“Steve coming in has brought a freshness and enthusiasm to get the club back to where it should be and serve the love that exists for it,” Cathro said.”I’m convinced that it’s a club willing to grow and would be comfortable higher in the league. It’s now ready to do that.”
McClaren’s philosophy is rather interesting, in that he clearly understands the realities of the cash-flooded world of modern football, where instant success is highly sought after, but also has an insistence on developing those already at the club. The terrific signings of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Georginio Wijnaldum have been tempered by McLaren’s desire to retain faith in the side he inherited, as he illustrated in Newcastle’s league opener, against Southampton, where he played nine of the club’s pre-existing players.”I’ve always liked making players better. Newcastle United want stability and someone to take them forward. Hopefully I can be that man,” he said.
Arguably the most intriguing and important of the club’s captures that has been that of Wijnaldum, who cost a whopping £14.5 million. Amid interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs, acquiring the Dutchman was a real statement of intent from the Magpies. A clear sign the Tyneside outfit means business this season and weren’t afraid to splash the cash show it.Upon explaining why he chose to make the switch to Newcastle, Wijnaldum noted his clear admiration for McLaren and his philosophy as defining factors, before going on to note how impressed he was by McLaren’s effortsback in Holland.
“He wants to always play football and score a lot of goals. He told me his plans the way he plays, and that’s why I chose Newcastle,” mused the former PSV star.”He is a trainer who makes players better. That’s why I have faith in himand chose Newcastle. I heard some stories about him from players who trained with him atTwente and I spoke with him on the phone before I signed. He has a big reputation in Holland. Twente had never been champions before he arrived. He brought the club to a higher level and has a big name there.” On the surface, at least, the move appears a really great fit. And if Wijnaldum’s promising debut is anything to go by, it looks like it will be a successful one too.
Lining up in central attacking midfield, the 24-year-old’s presence ensured Newcastle played some beautiful football in stages, which would’ve pleased their long suffering fans to no end. Many even felt the display was better than anything they’d witnessed over the entire course of last season. Using his unique set of attributes, the Dutch international showed glimpses of his creativity, technical quality, vision, athleticism and movement, which gave Southampton plenty to think about throughout.
When Newcastle were in possession he buzzed around laterally and vertically, always scanning for little pockets of space that he could utilise. Southampton’s central midfield duo of Steven Davis and Victor Wanyama found it very difficult to mark him, for his nifty movement meant he never stood still, which added an extra layer of variety to his game and therefore confusion for his markers.
Whether it be when he searched for space in true central midfield positions or when he did so in true number 10 positions, his movement meant he was always an available outlet. His ability to identify space both in front of and in behind Southampton’s central midfield pairing to made him a persistent nuisance, and one the the Saints ultimately struggled to nullify.
In addition, Wijnaldum’s quick thinking enabled to him to notice his teammates’ movement and subsequently duck into the space that they’d left behind. Some fine examples of this arose in situations where Papiss Cisse would drop deep, with the intent to provide a link between the attack and the midfield. As soon as Wijnaldum observed Cisse coming, he would cunningly sneak in to the space that was now unoccupied, as one of the Saints’ centre backs inherently followed the Senegalese striker.
Little moments like this were testament to just how brilliant he is in between the ears. He was always thinking, always switched on and always on the lookout for openings that could be exploited. This all parlayed to illustrate his sublime understanding and appreciation of space, which, in turn, saw him able to knit the side’s attacking phases together
handsomely.
His goal on 48 minutes was an apt accompaniment for his industrious afternoon of work. Here, following a Southampton turnover, Gabriel Obertan embarked on a speedy surge upfield that was wonderfully rewarded by a delightful Cisse ball over the top. With the ball still bouncing Obertan produced a remarkable cross that was adeptly finished home by Wijnaldum, whose delicately placed glancing header was a thing of beauty. More than that, Wijnaldum’s run from his own box to even get into a position to score demonstrated his sheer desire to provide an option. He willed
himself, sprinting relentlessly across the hallowed turf, in what was an utterly memorable way to mark his debut.
“I sprinted from about 60 metres, Gaby’s cross was great and I ran to the front post and put the header the other way, to the far post,” he said. “When the ball left my head I was just willing it to go in, and when ithit the back of the net my first thought was to celebrate with the fans,and with Gaby, too, because it wasn’t an easy cross to make.
“The noise in the stadium was amazing. I had heard a lot of good stories about the atmosphere and the songs they sing, so to hear it properly andfor my goal, was something special.”
It’s this sort of athleticism and penetration from deep that makes him such a dynamic, multifaceted threat. In terms of the attacking side of thegame, he can do it all. Wijnaldum’s one of those rare breed of players who combine power and finesse masterfully.
He certainly endeared himself to the Newcastle faithful with his accomplished showing. His energy, astute passing and capacity to beat his man by way of his magical dribbling talent will be sure to provide them with plenty more joy as the season rolls on too. Although the £14.5 million outlay from the Magpies was hefty, it’s undoubtedly money well spent, for in Wijnaldum they have a midfielder who blends the attributes of number 10 and a traditional central midfielder so effectively. He’s a man with a solution for any problem, and that’s what makes him so special, especially in a world where deep and regimented defensive lines are often the norm.
McClaren sums him up accurately, saying: “He brings tempo, quality on the ball, he scores and has adaptability in midfield. I knew him well in Holland – he killed my team a few times!”
Newcastle used to be known for their French connection, but now it’s all about their Dutch revolution. Wijnaldum’s undeniably the leader of the new and exciting project the club is installing. With the new boss’ knowledge of this part of the world and his aesthetically pleasing philosophy, the Wijnaldum-McClaren partnership looks to be a match made in heaven.
And that’s most definitely a good reason for the die-hard Newcastle fans to be feeling a real sense of optimism about the campaign ahead. After last season’s failings, they deserve a team of which they can be proud, and with Wijnaldum and McClaren now steering the ship, that pride should be restored.
About the author:
Edward Stratmann writes regularly about the on-field aspects of the game,
with a particular focus on tactics and analysis. In addition to featuring
on These Football Times, Inside Spanish Football, Anfield Index, Just
Football, The Eagles Beak, Think Football Ideas and JuveFC, you can also
find Edward’s work at Licence to Roam, a football blog he started with his
brother in 2013.
