With Hatem Ben Arfa playing out of his skin for Newcastle United at the moment, comparisons are being made between the Frenchman and Premier League stars of past and present, but to mention him in the same breath as former Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale is a step too far.
Hatem Ben Arfa and Gareth Bale may both be left-footed wingers who scare defenders, but that’s where the comparisons end, whatever people may say.
Former international striker Tony Cascarino wrote in The Times earlier this week: “Hatem Ben Arfa terrifies defenders with his pace, his close control, his wonderful left foot. If he can become more prolific in front of goal, he will not be far of Gareth Bale’s standard.”
What I don’t get is why we have to compare players all the time? Why can’t Ben Arfa just be appreciated for the talents that he has?
Right now he is nowhere near Bale’s level. The Welshman was by far and away the most exciting player to watch in the Premier League last year and is arguably the third best player in the world behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
That’s why Bale was sold to Real Madrid for such a ridiculous fee and to mention Ben Arfa in the same sentence, someone who has played well in just two consecutive games this season, is not helpful for anyone.
The one thing that Cascarino is right about is that Hatem needs to score more goals, not just great goals, and getting two in two is a long way from Bale’s Premier League tally of 21 last season.
If Ben Arfa can make it to double figures in the league that will be good going…
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Click on Hatem below to see Ben Arfa’s Top 10 Newcastle goals
