Is Ben Arfa ready to start against Wigan?
Posted on October 19th, 2011 | 97 Comments |
You may remember the 3rd of October 2010, when a psychopathic Nigel De Jong decided to attempt a ‘tackle’ on our French-Tunisian play-maker, resulting in Ben Arfa sustaining two breaks in his right leg (tibia and fibula). The road to recovery was long, and despite Alan Pardew’s hope of Ben Arfa returning before the seasons end. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see him in action again that season.
Pre-season began prior to the 2011 – 2012 season, and Ben Arfa played in our first friendly, a 2-0 victory at Doncaster. Ben Arfa lined up as one of a midfield five, playing just behind loan striker Leon Best in a 4-3-2-1 formation. As United began their tour of the U.S.A, many of us must have thought it would be the perfect opportunity for Hatem to settle back down into the first eleven. Unfortunately again, he was victim of another injury, this time damaging his ankle in a match versus Sporting Kansas.
Ben Arfa’s injury resulted in him missing the remainder of pre-season, but he eventually made his comeback for United, in our 3-1 home victory against Blackburn Rovers. He made his first start this season for Newcastle, in our 4-3 League Cup Victory at Nottingham Forest. Since then, he has been subjected to only cameo roles, coming on as a sub in the latter stages of games, most recently he appeared as a 70th minute substitute against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. So with Ben Arfa’s injuries (hopefully) behind him, should Pardew start to include him in his match day starting elevens?
This weekend sees Wigan Athletic visit St James’ Park, and in my opinion, I see this as a good game to include Ben Arfa from the start. The trouble with his inclusion would be disrupting a winning team and formation, but I have a slight feeling, that Pardew may use this next match to give some playing time to Ben Arfa.
Recently Pardew has stated:
“Shola hit a great goal, but Ben Arfa does things that no one else can do, and he showed that when he came on. He looked sharp and lively.
“It showed he’s near his best, and he’s threatening to burst into the team. On that showing, he’s got a good chance.”
Ben Arfa’s inclusion in the team, would likely result in a change of formation, most probably from a 4-4-2 to a 4-4-1-1, and obviously a change of personnel. With Demba Ba in terrific form, scoring five goals in his last three games, I’d imagine it would be Leon Best who would have to make way to accommodate him. Best has shown some good form so far this season, and it would be somewhat controversial to drop him, but if we are to look at the strongest possible eleven we could play, and bearing in mind Pardew prefers a flat four in defence and in midfield, it seems that dropping Best is the only option.
Pardew could however start Ben Arfa in our League Cup match versus Blackburn at Ewood Park, as a lot of managers, Pardew included, try to refrain from changing a winning formula in the Premier League. It could well be that we witness the same team and formation this weekend as the one that took the field on Sunday. Pardew could maybe try a 4-1-3-2, which would accommodate both Best and Ben Afra, but result in one of our four regular midfielders being dropped. In that instance, I would probably sacrifice Gabriel Obertan, as out of the regular four midfielders including Jonas, Tiote and Cabaye, I think he offers the least. As I’ve previously mentioned above though, it seems unlikely that we will alter our formation drastically, and if I was to expect a change, it would be to the 4-4-1-1.
So with Ben Arfa seemingly getting up to speed, would you like to see him included from the start this weekend, and if so, what would you change and how would you accommodate him?
Poll
NUFCBlog Author: Jimbob
Backpacker extraordinaire and current resident of sunny Sheffield. Loves Marmite, hates peanut butter. Sleeps twice a day, wrestles Polar Bears because he can and regards himself as cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce.
Jimbob has written 40 articles on this blog.
Is Ben Arfa ready to start against Wigan? better ask the Clueless One ? Because he seems to have a major problem thinking outside the box when selecting his team.
The case for the prsoecution. :)
“Alan Pardew has talked about the wonderful form of Jonas Gutierrez this season, and laments that has meant that Dan Gosling and Sylvain, as just two examples, haven’t had much playing time this season.
Here’s what Alan said about Gutierrez, who even seems to be improving this season:
“Jonas is in some of the best form I’ve seen from him.” “Sometimes when players sign contracts, they just come off the pedal a little bit.
“Jonas has gone the other way. I didn’t sign him, so maybe he’s got a little bit of belief that the manager here loves him and wants him to play well.”
Pardew talked about Sylvain Marveaux and Dan Gosling today to the local Newcastle press:
“I feel so sorry for Sylvain and Dan Gosling at the minute, and one or two others.” “They’ve worked really hard, and haven’t got a sniff.”
“I want to keep winning games, but obviously I would love to play them at some point.” “Of the four midfield players, Jonas was the best.”
So Obertan not one of the best then ?
As for HBA getting a game I suppose we better wait until all four strikers have had a really shlte season then he might be in with a chance :(