A feature running every Thursday morning. A chance to discuss a random Toon star, past and present. Be interesting to read people's thoughts on the player, stories, memories, goals, and everything in between.
One of the most talented players I’ve ever seen play for us. Absolutely brilliant on his day but was horrifically mismanaged by Pardew and was often scapegoated by management and fans alike for the team’s failings.
I’d have loved to have seen him play under a manager like Sir Bobby.
Jemmo1 on
What a player. Perhaps in my personal top 5 of players I enjoyed watching the most.
Had a short interaction with him before the game where he made his come back, i was suprised he actually took some time for us before he entered the stadium. I will never forget that.
cjmac0909 on
I’ll never forget those goals against Bolton and Blackburn
The absolute textbook definition of a flair player. You never knew which Ben Arfa was going to turn up on the pitch and it was during a time where we really couldn’t afford to have players going AWOL during games, but holy shit were those moments of magic something special.
So frustrating to watch most of the time but an amazing player when he was ‘on it’.
RandomLoLJournalist on
Flashbacks to Ben Arfa’s magic are one of the main reasons why I miss ASM so much.
I was still a kid while Ben Arfa was here, and I remember genuinely thinking the guy could do literally anything with the ball at his feet, and going “how the fuck has he done that” at least once per game. Great memories, bittersweet cause they could’ve been so much greater had he taken the sport more seriously.
MushuFromSpace on
Was fortunate enough to see that goal vs Blackburn in the cup live.
Was just open mouths for ages in the stand.
Think his goal vs Everton tends to get overlooked a bit. An absolute monster of a left foot.
7 Comments
That first half against West Brom in 2012 🔥
One of the most talented players I’ve ever seen play for us. Absolutely brilliant on his day but was horrifically mismanaged by Pardew and was often scapegoated by management and fans alike for the team’s failings.
I’d have loved to have seen him play under a manager like Sir Bobby.
What a player. Perhaps in my personal top 5 of players I enjoyed watching the most.
Had a short interaction with him before the game where he made his come back, i was suprised he actually took some time for us before he entered the stadium. I will never forget that.
I’ll never forget those goals against Bolton and Blackburn
That goal vs Bolton….
https://youtu.be/WpuFePHvLUM?si=PD7zUrO9PVbuea3c
The absolute textbook definition of a flair player. You never knew which Ben Arfa was going to turn up on the pitch and it was during a time where we really couldn’t afford to have players going AWOL during games, but holy shit were those moments of magic something special.
So frustrating to watch most of the time but an amazing player when he was ‘on it’.
Flashbacks to Ben Arfa’s magic are one of the main reasons why I miss ASM so much.
I was still a kid while Ben Arfa was here, and I remember genuinely thinking the guy could do literally anything with the ball at his feet, and going “how the fuck has he done that” at least once per game. Great memories, bittersweet cause they could’ve been so much greater had he taken the sport more seriously.
Was fortunate enough to see that goal vs Blackburn in the cup live.
Was just open mouths for ages in the stand.
Think his goal vs Everton tends to get overlooked a bit. An absolute monster of a left foot.