Adam Armstrong names Newcastle United cult hero as best player he has played with

Toon fans enjoyed five years of the Frenchman’s mercurial talents between 2010 and 2015, although his St James' Park career was hampered by injuries and discipline issues. At his best, Ben Arfa was a genuine match-winner who captivated the Tyneside crowd like few before him.

He helped Alan Pardew’s high-flyers qualify for the Europa League in 2011-12 - narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot. Memorable goals against Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers are two of the finest goals in Newcastle’s history.

Ben Arfa remained a key player for the Magpies until Pardew finally lost his rag in 2014. John Carver, Pardew’s assistant and successor, claimed the winger tried to throw a fridge at the manager during a half-time spat.

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The fallout saw Ben Arfa sent to Hull City on loan but he also failed to see eye to eye with further Toon boss Steve Bruce. That became the story of the 38-year-old’s career, one that was once filled with insane potential given his education at France’s famous Clairefontaine academy.

Ben Arfa’s latter career on Tyneside coincided with Armstrong rising through the youth ranks. The Chapel House native was a promising talent over a decade ago having represented England at numerous youth levels.

A career at St James’ Park never worked out, with the now 28-year-old making 21 largely substitute appearances before moving on. Armstrong has gone on to become an efficient goalscorer at Championship level and now plies his trade at West Brom, on loan from Southampton.

Speaking to the Baggies’ media team, the striker named Ben Arfa as the best player he has played with. Ironically, current Newcastle star Lewis Hall named the maverick as the ex-Toon favourite he would most like to bring back.

Hatem Ben Arfa viewed Newcastle United as “hell” during his later years

Ben Arfa’s frosty relationship with Pardew soured what was otherwise a memorable spell at Newcastle. He said in 2015: “On the first day back in August 2014, I was placed directly with the reserves. A terrible humiliation. Weeks passed and I was always with these young 16 and 17-year-olds on land away from the pros.

“I did not understand. They gave me a nightmare. It was full of little cheap shots. And when I believed in me (getting out) by signing for Nice, they were forbidden to hire me (until July).

“I had the feeling of being locked in a dark room without a door, or in an endless tunnel. I saw hell and especially no solution to my problems. At that time, I was wrong, I did not see any light. I was a prisoner.

“I was slapping myself every day to not let go. I tried to convince myself that the light was coming back, I was going to find the right path. By signing this summer with Nice, I really felt out of hell. In fact, that’s it, I come back from hell.”

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