Can Ben Arfa be a consistent goal threat from the wing?

The signing of Cisse and current form of Shola/Best makes it almost certain we're going to be playing 4-4-2, with Ba and Cisse. No qualms with that, we look a better side with 2 out and out forwards on the pitch and admittedly Ben Arfa does look a bit lost in the #10 role. But even with Cisse signing, we lack consistent goalscorers, we are statistically more reliant on Ba than Arsenal are on van Persie, and that is a little bit frightening. Cisse is not certain to hit the ground running, and should be given the remainer of the season to settle properly and adjust to the English game.

But could Ben Arfa be a 10+ goal per season player? It's clear that when the ACON is over the majority of his games will come as a right winger (barring injury to a striker), and as a left footer playing on the right, it's only natural he will cut inside and shoot a lot (especially as he doesnt look as comfortable with his right foot). This is a tried and tested method, Adam Johnson and Arjen Robben base their entire games around scoring from the wing by playing on the "wrong" side. I believe Benny is a good finisher, and his creativity and passing mean he can not only come inside to shoot, but can instead look to play a through ball to someone like Cisse playing on the shoulder of the last defender, or could switch the ball to the left flank as his long passing looks fairly good as well.

The issue with defensive duties is still there though, as he's certainly no Jonas for tracking back and defending, and players of his style are often hindered by defensive work. But while he isnt a great tackler, he's surprised me with a willingness to help out his full back, and stick to his touchline, and has definitely improved his work rate in recent games (part of the reason I think Pardew had been leaving him out). Another potential issue is that he would not be able to cross the ball as much as a right footer, but Cisse will be our #9 and while he is a good header of the ball, he certainly isnt a target man. He thrives off all kinds of service and does not need regular crosses like Carroll did, for example.

So can he be a consistent goalscorer? He certainly isnt a consistent player, but few like him are, and barring a select few you will struggle to name a consistent winger. But we've seen him score 3 very good goals since he's came back into the team, and his skill on the ball means opposition players have no idea what he is about to do, but he certainly knows - I've seen few players drift who can past opponents with such ease, feinting and twisting by each challenge, and he has a finish to boot.

What do you think then?

 

Thus far he's got 3 goals this season that I can remember in what can only be a handful of appearances.

So I'd say the chances are good.

 

The simple stats are 19 appearances, 4 goals and 3 assists. Consider that 5 or 6 of his apps were just cameos and it's impressive reading.

 

He can score goals consistently

 

Without reading your article (sorry) i'll just answer your title; Yes! Like he has done his whole career so far...?

I cant believe how many people believe he should only be playing through the centre or go on about his defensive ability though. He's perfectly suited to playing out on the right. It's not like he cant cross either, but his through balls would be perfect for Ba and Cisse to run onto. Theyre both clever players who hang onto the last defender and i believe Ben Arfa can get quite a few per season once he gets going.

 

His last 3 games show 2 goals and 1 assist. All from rm. Yeah i do think he can be

 

i posted a formation on ebar when cisse signed as i was thinking about how HBA will fit in. one of my thoughts was a flexible wing backs formation.

Krul

Taylor (New Defender) Colo

Santon--------------------------Jonas​

Cabaye HBA Tiote

Ba Cisse​

Giving HBA freedom to get forward, or move to the wing with jonas coming up and santon moving back to adjust to a 442 if needed in a match.

think if you give HBA the ball in and around the area there is always a potential for a goal as the lad is a quality finisher

 

Aye, I've been saying ages to play him on the wing. He's ****e playing in the hole because he doesn't get the ball so he just goes missing. When he's on the wing he can get the ball and run at people which is what he does best. He can cut inside and score like you say. He will be fantastic for us on the wing. Just Pardew wouldn't listen and insisted on playing Obertan, the worst player I've ever seen in an NUFC shirt, at least Pardew is playing BenArfa on the right now though. Better late than never.

 

Never scored more than 6 goals in a league season before.

 

We could still end up playing 4-5-1/4-3-3. Ba is used to playing LAM/LWF in both of those formations, like at West Ham for example. Unlikely, but all the same, could be very lethal. Also, yes, Ben Arfa in the right wing slot could get around 8-12 goals a season. Assuming he stays in the damn side obviously.

 

I'm still pinning a lot of hope on this lad, I really think he has that bit extra to take us to the next level.

 

If he continues to play on the right eventually the LB's will work him out. He cuts inside far too often and his 3 goals this season have been from his left foot. However I do still think he can grab us 10 goals a season.

 

I think he'll be a consistent provider of goals without a doubt.

It says 2 goals in 12 apps this season, but I wouldn't even consider the first 6 of those proper appearances. It was clear as day that he was still finding his feet and building his confidence back up after his injury. I think the Ben Arfa of the last couple of months is the one who is looking far more threatening and far more likely to score.

 

I dont think it's fair to say he was "****" in the hole, though. The only 3 games he started there were Man U (won the penalty), Man City (put the ball on a plate for Ba and hit the post) and Chelsea (man marked out of the game by Romeu).

 

Much like say, Adam Johnson, Arjen Robben, Ashley Young and Stewart Downing for Villa? Ben Arfa can mix his play up and wont just cut in all the time.

 

Hope so.

 

Good post Smudger.

I think our problem at the moment is we have a good attacking formation and a good defensive one. When Jonas comes more central we're very menacing going forward, but that formation leaves the full backs exposed. I think it's easily remedied with a simple change - RTaylor on for a striker, allowing Jonas to shield Santon, Taylor helping out down the right and Ben Arfa playing in the number 10, preferably behind Ba. Giving us a solid defensive formation with a very real threat going forward still.

The dilemma is which formation to start with, and when to change things up, at least we have options. Against Fulham we looked like we could have bagged loads in the second half, if Pardew had shut up shop by bringing Taylor on people wouldn't have been best pleased, especially if we didn't then go on to win the game. I'd be inclined to start with the 4-5-1 (4-4-1-1 whatever) and go aggressive if things aren't working, for the simple reason that if we go attacking early and it doesn't work, switching to a defensive formation will then be no good.

 

They know that he'll cut inside but they dont know how he's going to beat them individually. Look at the Fulham goal, he turned the player 3 times in the space of a second. The guy didnt even know where he was.

 

Ronaldo was for Manure so for me... Yes indeedy.

 

I really think we look a lot better in that formation (whatever you want to call it), Jonas is brilliant in the hole. The pressing issue is that when Ba and Cisse return I think every single one of us wants both of them in the starting XI. Short of putting Ba on the left wing, the only way around it is something like this:

Krul
Simpson Williamson Colo Santon
Cabaye Tiote
Benny - - - - Ba - - - - Jonas
Cisse​

But with those particular players, we will naturally revert to 4-4-2.

What I want us to try right now though, is Best leading the line and Obertan on the left. Shola on the bench (if he's lucky).