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Ben Arfa happy with new faces

Newcastle ace Hatem Ben Arfa has declared himself happy with the club's new-look side as he targets Europa League glory.

Last Updated: 07/03/13 at 16:05 Post Comment   

Hatem Ben Arfa: Happy with Newcastle's squad strength

Hatem Ben Arfa: Happy with Newcastle's squad strength

Ben Arfa is in line to make his return to action in Thursday's Europa League clash with Anzhi Makhachkala after recovering from a serious hamstring injury and he has been impressed by the club's January recruits.

The French ace had questioned his future at Newcastle after claiming the team needed to be strengthened in the January transfer window but Ben Arfa now believes the squad is good enough to challenge for honours, starting with the Europa League.

"The squad is better than it was and I'm very happy now because they are very good players," said Ben Arfa.

"They will help our team and we are stronger than before. I was in France when the players were signing, I was happy because I know they are good players, not just because they are French. They have made the team stronger.

"Moussa Sissoko - I know him from France because I played with him in the national team. He is a great player and a lot of big clubs wanted him but he came to Newcastle - that is fantastic for us.

"I hope we can do good things in the Europa League, I hope we can win it.

"It is important we climb the Premier League and not fall into the Championship, but this is also important. This is a chance to win a trophy and that is something the whole squad are excited about.

"It is amazing it has been 44 years since Newcastle won anything. It would be great to write my name in history by winning something, for us as a team to become the one who ended the gap."

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T

he day Tonys hat goes missing for some bantz will be different story altogether..

TheBrestEver
Stoke probe 'banter gone wild'

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

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