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Hatem Ben Arfa ‘Sometimes In My Room I Remember How Excited I Was To Play At St.James’ Park’

10 years ago
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Maybe the only missing ingredient from this afternoon at St.James’ Park is the fact that Hatem Ben Arfa won’t be on the pitch.

However, the French genius/layabout will have a watching brief as he watches Alan Pardew in the dugout and both his new and old teammates.

Ahead of the game, Ben Arfa has reflected on his days at Newcastle United and his new life at Hull City.

Though when sitting in his hotel room, Hatem still can’t help thinking about the excitement he felt when stepping out at St.James’ Park in black and white stripes;

“My fitness was one of the first things I spoke to Steve Bruce about when I signed and I have a programme. It is helping me improve.

“There is also a very good atmosphere in this football club. We feel like a family. And the spirit is good, like the staff and the players are all together. That is good for the season.

“The staff talk a lot with the players. They laugh and enjoy being with us. It means every morning I enjoy coming into the training ground.

“It is very important when a manager wants you. It was good to hear that he wanted to sign me.

“Being at Newcastle was hard because I was training with the reserves. When I know the manager wants me, that is the most important thing. It is a good thing for me. I hope we can now do a good job together.

“I will go to the game at Newcastle, of course I will, but I’ll have to remember to turn left coming out of the tunnel and not right.

“To go back to St James’ Park against Newcastle will be very strange but that’s life. I enjoyed myself in Newcastle and going to the left (out of the tunnel) will be strange.

“Sometimes, in my room I remember how excited I was to play at St James’ Park in front of that crowd. But that’s life sometimes, you have to leave and change club. Football is like that.

“Going back to St James’ Park, I will be emotional. Of course, 1,000 percent. Now that story is finished though. I have a new story, I am at Hull and very happy to be at Hull.

“I won’t be able to play but I will be there supporting my team and hoping we can get a result for Hull.

“I can’t help my team on the field because I can’t play but the most important thing will be getting the three points for Hull City.”

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