Source: Northern_Echo
Ben Arfa determined to show United his true colours
FOR a player regarded as one of the most gifted in the French game, Hatem Ben Arfa's career has struggled to reach the heights many have been expecting him to hit for the last nine years. But, at the age of 23, he still has a considerable amount of time on his side and, refreshed by his move to Newcastle United, his initial season- long loan to St James' Park might have arrived at just the right time. Ben Arfa has courted controversy in France. His time at Lyon reached an end after a training-ground scuffle with defender Sebastien Squillaci, he has been outspoken in the past about his demands and his managers, but his honesty should be appreciated on Tyneside. He was clear in his view that he wanted to leave Marseille for Newcastle, even to the extent that he went on strike and refused to train with the club who paid £9m for him two years ago. But now Ben Arfa, a player with Tunisian roots, is keen to forget what has gone on before. He does not want to reflect on his decision not to train with Marseille, nor does he want to look back on the times he upset his former bosses, or turned up late for training. Instead the creative midfielder is focused on life at Newcastle, where he has already been the subject of plenty of fan mail even before he has kicked a ball for his new club. It is true that I have a certain image after what has been in the newspapers in France, said Ben Arfa. People have written things about me without knowing the real me. I am sure that some of the things I have done have not helped my image when I was in France. But I see coming to Newcastle as a chance to see the real Hatem. The great thing is I start here with a clean slate. I hope people will see the real Hatem Ben Arfa. I would like to think I am a person who is generous, who likes a laugh, and who likes to get on with people. I have a real problem with injustice. For me, honour and principle are the most important things in life. Perhaps I am in the wrong business! Given the hard work manager Chris Hughton has put in over the last 15 months to seal the cracks within the dressing room, he would not have rushed into a deal without examining the character traits of a Frenchman who has been something of an enigma. Irrespective of what might have been said about him, this is a player who has played a lot of games. Only a month ago he played for France and scored. There is no doubting his ability, said Hughton, likely to hand Ben Arfa a role from the bench against Blackpool today. He is coming into a healthy squad here, one which has very, very good spirit. It did not really concern me. Obviously, you do your checks on players. In your scouting of players, your biggest interest is their ability, but it is normal to find out about their background and their personalities. When Ben Arfa spoke yesterday, with the help of his agent and translator, Simon Stainrod, the former QPR forward, he did so with four letters from fans lying on the floor. One had arrived from France, but the others I am already getting some mail but unfortunately I do not understand it, said Ben Arfa. But it has put a smile on my face getting these messages and I am very grateful for it. It makes me feel as though I am special to these supporters and that makes me even more determined to do well in front of them. Newcastle's supporters have enjoyed special relationships with the French flair players, having adored the talents of Laurent Robert and David Ginola in the last 14 years. There is also, though, a mutual respect for the club from across the English Channel. The French people are still very aware that St James' Park has a big history and their supporters are particularly appreciated in France because most other clubs are jealous of them, said Ben Arfa, brought up in the Parisien suburb of Clamart. The reputation of their fans goes before them. That, in the past, has attracted some of the better French players to come here. The club still has a big reputation in France. Ben Arfa used to enjoy reading books, but no longer. Instead he is just keen to make sure the next chapter of his career is an overwhelming success, starting against Blackpool.