---
title: "Newcastle United: Fans make heavy case for Hatem Ben Arfa to be in Team of the Decade"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-fans-make-heavy-case-for-hatem-ben-arfa-to-be-in-team-of-the-decade/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2019-11-19T17:25:21Z"
modified: "2019-11-19T17:25:21Z"
---

# Newcastle United: Fans make heavy case for Hatem Ben Arfa to be in Team of the Decade

**Following the release of Mark Douglas’ Team of the Decade [for the Newcastle Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-greatest-ever-comeback-14244231), there has been plenty of debate in regards to who should make the cut, with some Magpies supporters taking issue with the fact Hatem Ben Arfa isn’t on the team sheet.**

\[freshpress-poll id=”261308″\]

Ben Arfa, who practically [guided Newcastle to Europa League qualification](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/25/hatem-ben-arfa-newcastle-united-west-brom) as one of their best players during the famous 2011/2012 campaign, was controversially omitted from the line-up – with Douglas opting instead for Moussa Sissoko an arguably[just as divisive figure](https://www.geordiebootboys.com/news/newcastle-flops-wijnaldum-sissoko-180-minutes-away-champions-league-final/), ahead of his compatriot.

However, given the way Ben Arfa left Tyneside and his limited time wearing the famous black and white stripes, perhaps there is a case for leaving him out.

There is plenty of evidence swinging towards the ex-France international, with plenty of sublime moments in a black and white jersey to choose from – including that[incredible solo goal at home to Bolton Wanderers.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpuFePHvLUM)

As a result, some supporters can’t believe the fact he isn’t included, here’s what they had to say on Twitter.

> Howay, Mark… NUFC’s most talented player since Shearer, at a completely different level to Ritchie and quite clearly did more than Sissoko.
>
> People like to rewrite history with Ben Arfa because of the way it ended, which is weird because the fans all fell out with Pardew, too
>
> — Ben Spratt (@bensprattjourn) [November 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/bensprattjourn/status/1196351682139086848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Totally agree with this. People remember very little about what he contributed because of the way it ended
>
> — DaveC1992 (@DaveC1992) [November 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/DaveC1992/status/1196371895563771911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Yet you included Sissoko [pic.twitter.com/aME5sdNH2B](https://t.co/aME5sdNH2B)
>
> — This Dave (@ThisDave) [November 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/ThisDave/status/1196335828789792774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Ben Arfa contributed some of the most amazing moments with a football I’ve seen a Newcastle player do in the last decade.
>
> — Rafa Facts (@FactsRafa) [November 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/FactsRafa/status/1196399547490164736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Vital goals to win games for the team
>
> — Robert Mitchell (@MitchellRob738) [November 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/MitchellRob738/status/1196334814003126273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Bit weird. He had a very good goals/assists per game ratio for us (better than Ginola, if I recall) and was a huge part of our best side this decade.
>
> — Alex Tebay (@AlexTebay1) [November 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/AlexTebay1/status/1196341795250151424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He contributed some ridiculous goals which will live long in the memory.
>
> — Shaun Pearce (@shaunpearce89) [November 18, 2019](https://twitter.com/shaunpearce89/status/1196362516634460160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)