Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed he is interested in Lyon’s wing wizard Hatem Ben Arfa, who has in recent weeks become unsettled, after falling out with the clubs leading marksman Karim Benzema.
Speaking with French TV programme “Téléfoot” on TF1, the Gunners chief said:
“If he is for sale, then we are very interested, “He is a great player and Arsenal is a potential destination for any great player.”
These latest comments have added fuel to the already intense fire, that links the French born Algerian with a move away from Stade Gerland, however the Gunners boss Wenger, is wary to do business with the Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas who has a strict reputation of getting top money for his clubs players, when Europe’s biggest clubs coming knocking, and with Arsenal being a known for driving a hard bargain the two styles could clash, however Ben Arfa has already admitted he is a huge admirer of Arsenal’s style of play and French core a deal could be on the cards.
Ben Arfa is a pacy, energetic left winger, full of running and tricks, similar to a left footed version of Nani, his technical skills are second to none.
After coming through the ranks as a striker, he predatory instincts make for a lethal combination for any forward, he was given a birth into the side as a centre forward, but with the emergence of the fore-mentioned Benzema, he was pushed out wide, and has thrived. however Hatem and Karim are known to have had a clash of personalities, which means despite recently extending their contracts one of the two is sure to leave, with Lyon not willing to part with the darling of French football Benzema it seems Ben Arfa is destined for the exit door.
He has also caught the attention of Tottenham after performing against them in the “Peace Cup”, but a bid never materialised, for the prospect who is valued around the £8 million mark, with injury problems to Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky, and passport problems with Brazilian wing-back Pedro, it means Wenger could find himself with just Carlos Vela as a natural left wing option next term, but Ben Arfa could provide a solution to the problem as well as cover up front, and is one of the more under-rated youngsters in world football.
Article By – J.Sanderson
We just need somebody tricky. End of.
Ben Arfa and Vela could fight for the wing positions. After all, there are left and right wings, right? Both players are tricky enough to cause defenders trouble and it’s also about time that Arsenal have tricky players who can cause trouble especially to the arrogant Man Untied. :@
I totally have no faith in Rosicky as his injury has been repeating without ending. It’s not that he’s not a good player, but his injury has been frustrating and even Wenger doesn’t know what to do with him anymore.
Ben Arfa must be seen as a compulsory signing. Even if he’s too expensive, a similar signing must be made. Fans have been waiting and there’s one sentence in football that is true all the time, “Don’t keep the fans waiting or you’ll face the wrath”.
I really hope we get ben arfa but for some reason i dont think we will.
This is just the type of signing we need to bring some confidence to the fans and the players. If we finish the season empty handed I’m sorry but we’re going to have to look at some of the players who just weren’t good enough this season and we have to let them go. we are Arsenal Football Club and we need to be winning trophies every year not every 4 years. We’re going to need 3 world class signings this summer and something to inject the confidence back to the other players. we must sign a left winger, a left back, centre mid and a striker all of really good quality because we don’t want our season to evaporate in the last 10 games next season do we? NO
I just feel sorry for the players who have been playing well this year but have been let down by the poor form of others e.g Eboue, Gilberto, Adebayor (last 5 games) it’s not good enough to be honest but hey it’s not over yet we can still win it if we show passion, effort and commitment.
gd post JS
Hes young, french and class… sounds perfect! Wenger doesnt often talk about players like that… surely this means something.
If we have Vela and Ben-Arfa in the squad next season, that should surley get rid of our left-wing problems!
It’s a pity about Rosicky, hes a great player and i think we really miss him when he’s out.
Exciting stuff…
another option would be diego capel from sevilla
i was shocked to hear that wenger has come out and said this when the season not finished yet knowing that his price would go up.
So wenger must have a deal set but which wing does he play? wenger rates capel highly wouldn’t mind seening both players
AW needs to buy some experience as well as young potential talent. Every year we loose players through injuries at crucial times and this brings pressure to players who then are tired. One can see that now that players are sluggish and tired. AFC has money so use it. Look at Man U they always buy experience and new talent every year. I think sadly, our season is over this year. We will probably end up third. However, if they play like they did at San Siro, every game one never knows what could happen.
what experience player can you buy??? man u only bought hargreves and van dar sar that are experienced the rest are young
I highly doubt Wenger will actually get him whether Wenger decides not to, or can’t get a good price for him. Usually, I find that unless Wenger signs a player within a few days of mentioning him, it won’t happen. Look at Dudu, Sagna and almost every non-youth player brought to Arsenal. Then look at the rumours linking us with Ribery, Babel, etc. that were going on for a while.
damn.. if he is anything like nani turned out to be.. buy him!!!!!
nani aint all that
I do not understand why Arsene Wenger would want to buy Hatem Ben Arfa because we already have Carlos Vela who also play’s on the left wing IMO
its all about squad depth mate, thats why we have been average towards the end of the season, we need back up
very true need more numbers in the squad that can do a job so vela and ben arfa would be great fot the squad
Wenger will pay the cost if he thinks Ben Arfa can become as good as Ronaldo, if not he wont go there. I personally think he admitted his interest purposely so that a english or a foreign club will rush to buy him for €20million to give him time to sign a better signing. I hope he gets diego and podolski (who is on the bench becoz of Ribery’s form).
I’m a bit sceptical towards Ben Arfa’s trasnfer, although I would be very pleased with that kind of purchase. J., have you any information about Kuzmanovic and his proposed move? I would be glad if you wrote something about him. Wenger is obviously very fond of him and is ready to swoop.
I am not sure if these comments have come from Wenger. He never comments on a player he is going to buy.
Even if he’s not playing at the moment, Lyon is willing to keep him for the next season.
By the way, he is a French born Tunisian.