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Pardew Claims Hatem Ben Arfa Has Future But This Photo Tells Different Story

10 years ago
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Alan Pardew has been quizzed about the future of Hatem Ben Arfa yet again.

The fractured relationship between fans, Pardew, Ben Arfa and the rest of the players, defining the chaos that has plagued Newcastle United this season, especially since Yohan Cabaye jumped ship.

Against all the evidence piled against it, Pardew this week has still claimed, to the belief of nobody – probably including himself, that Hatem has a future at the club;

“Has he got a future?….Yes.

“He is still contracted here for 2 years and it is like all players and situations, there are certain times when you talk to a player and want more, and the player wants more from you as a manager.

“Those talks are going on, on a daily basis with all players, not just Hatem.”

Well you can never say never but I think it is fairly clear that unless a massive shake-up happens, including the removal of the manager, then there looks no way back for our only current creative player.

As the papers were reporting the Pardew positive spin yesterday morning, with the manager claiming Ben Arfa will still be involved in the remaining matches but allegedly now carrying an injury, ironically a fan captured this photo below of Hatem quietly slipping out of Newcastle Airport with his head bowed.

An image that sums up to me how it is very likely that we have seen the last of Hatem Ben Arfa in our colours.

 

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