Ben Arfa interview

Hatem Ben Arfa is confident Newcastle can better last season's top-five finish and even have a say in the title race.

The 25-year-old France international played a key role in the Magpies' surge up the table last time around and is looking for further improvement when the new campaign gets underway.

Manager Alan Pardew is yet to land one of his main summer transfer targets, but has been boosted by the fact that none of his stars has to date been lured away from Tyneside.

Ben Arfa told the Evening Chronicle: "All the players have stayed here. I think we have to have confidence as we have very good players.

"Maybe if we feel very good, we can finish between fourth and first. Why not?Why can we not say we could be champions?

"Maybe? Anything is possible. We can challenge for it. We have good players, a good stadium and great supporters.

"We have to have confidence. I believe we can do what I say."

Ben Arfa himself was one of the men linked with other clubs during the closed season, along with Tim Krul, Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba.

However, he insists he is happy at the club which gave him his chance in English football, and stood by him after he suffered a double leg-fracture during a season-long loan spell.

He said: "I very happy to stay here. I'm happy to be back at Newcastle again. I love this club and the supporters. I love them and they like me."





http://web.orange.co.uk/article/sports/ben_arfa_toon_can_challenge

 

Obviously we're not gonna challenge for the title, but there's a reason we are getting progressively better while our noisy neighbours languish, the confidence and camaraderie (sp?) in our squad is extremely healthy, love our team

 

Strange how he comes out saying nice things after he made it clear to Pardew that he wanted to leave the club but nobody came in for him!

 

im actually happy the players have this sort of belief. believing you can win every game is the best way for a football team to be

however, it won't be long before it's attributed to us fans by the media / mackems / pundits

 

That was when, exactly ?

 

Ask Tash, he knows.

 

sorry if this is some running joke but he's never asked to be transferred! he's stated hes frustrated when he wasnt getting starts but always said he'l fight to get in the team!

 

Tash know's everything.

 

Love this bloke