Newcastle United have become accustomed to scoring memorable goals over the years.
It feels as if the Magpies are a club that attracts players who want to score sensational goals. Players from the past like Alan Shearer were sensational from distance, scoring several volleys and free-kicks throughout his 10 years on Tyneside.
In more recent times, Newcastle United have defender Fabian Schar as their scorer of ‘worldies’, the 34-year-old is known to score goals from distance. Schar nearly scored from his own half in Newcastle’s win against Leicester City on Monday night, only for his effort to crash against the crossbar before Jacob Murphy picked up the loose ball and fired home.
In the early 2010s, Hatem Ben Arfa was that player. The Frenchman did not score impressive goals from distance. Instead, he would go on incredible solo runs before firing home from close range – it was beautiful.
Ben Arfa left Newcastle on a sour note as a result of an attitude problem, but fans still remember him for his natural talent and goalscoring prowess.
The French maverick was so good at times that he even frustrated his Newcastle teammates. He shared exactly what he used to do to annoy them so much.
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Hatem Ben Arfa used to annoy Newcastle United teammates
Ben Arfa’s Newcastle career did not get off to the best of starts. The attacker suffered a broken leg while on loan at Newcastle after a nasty challenge from Manchester City star Nigel de Jong, which kept him out for several months.
However, he did not let the injury impact his career. After completing a permanent move to the Magpies in 2011, he showed his potential under manager Alan Pardew.
Despite his good form, Ben Arfa still proved to be an unpopular figure inside Newcastle’s training ground. The Frenchman revealed other players’ disdain for him in a 2012 interview with The Independent.
“I believe that I have found the serenity that will allow me, as soon as I have regained all my physical ability, to go forward. How far, I don’t know,” he said.
“I have matured and grown, especially with this long injury but, deep down, I remain the same. The other day in training everybody shouted at me because after tricking the goalkeeper I then waited again to trick him again and then shot wide. I know it annoys everyone and I know I won’t change. But, it’s that kind of football that I like.
“However, I am adapting and I am correcting myself to fit into the professional mould because I know I am paid to win matches and not to amuse myself, but learning to adapt doesn’t mean I will forget my instinct.”
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13 years since Hatem Ben Arfa’s wondergoal for Newcastle United
Ben Arfa produced some memorable goals during his time at Newcastle, but no other effort comes close to his incredible solo run against Bolton Wanderers at St James’ Park in 2012.
It was like the Red Sea had parted for him. The ball came to Ben Arfa, who took a clever touch inside his own half to get past the first man before dribbling through Bolton’s two centre-backs and cooly firing into the back of the net in front of the Gallowgate End.
Talking about Ben Arfa’s goal in 2012, Pardew said: “There is magic in his feet.
“It is his world when he is on the ball. Not many players in this division can score goals like that. It was very clever. There are not many blessed with that kind of talent.”
Ben Arfa now plays Padel instead of football, but Newcastle fans will always remember him for his sensational ability with his feet rather than a racket.
Tottenham star Son Heung-Min was compared to Ben Arfa after scoring a similar goal in 2019, but everyone knows the original will always be better.
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