Arsenal

French Winger Open To Arsenal Move Despite Chelsea Interest

Arsenal have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Newcastle United winger Hatem Ben Arfa, with the player open to a move to the Emirates, according to reports.

by
Gooner Mac
June 21, 2012

Football Talk will be keeping you up-to-date with all the latest transfer news throughout the summer. Today, Arsenal are linked with a move for Hatem Ben Arfa.

Arsenal have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Newcastle United winger Hatem Ben Arfa, according to the Mirror.

The report claims that the Blues have been tracking the 25-year-old for some time and are lining up a summer bid for the exciting winger.

But Arsenal have now expressed an interest in bringing the Frenchman to the Emirates, as manager Arsene Wenger continues his summer overhaul having already signed German striker Lukas Podolski as well as being strongly linked with Montpellier hitman Olivier Giroud.

The Mirror claim that Ben Arfa would welcome a move to north London due to concerns over a switch to the European champions, with the player thought to be worried about his chances of playing regular first team football at Stamford Bridge.

Ben Arfa is currently away with the France squad at Euro 2012 and enjoyed an excellent season with Newcastle last term. He was an integral part of the side, scoring 6 goals during the second half of the season as the Geordies made an unlikely push for a top four finish, eventually having to settle for the Europa League after finishing fifth.

FT Verdict

With Chelsea already signing Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, and being linked with a whole host of other attacking talent, you can see why Ben Arfa might be slightly concerned over his first team chances st the Bridge.

But it’s not like he wouldn’t have plenty of competition at Arsenal either, in fact he only really cemented his place in the Newcastle side during the second half of the season.

Arsene Wenger has been a long-term admirer of Ben Arfa’s and was linked with him before he joined Newcastle in 2010, but the only way I’d see the French boss moving for him now is if Theo Walcott left Arsenal this summer. Likewise, a move to Stamford Bridge may only happen if Daniel Sturridge is to leave Chelsea, so I don’t see the tricky winger moving to London any time soon.

Would you like to see Ben Araf at your club? Get involved in the comments section.