Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has asked fringe attacker Hatem Ben Arfa to fight for his place in the starting XI, as concerns of the player’s work rate have been aired.
Ben Arfa put in a mediocre individual display against Blackburn last week, and was forced to watch on from the bench in the Tyneside club’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa at the weekend.
Pardew has heralded Ben Arfa’s ability, but asked him to work harder to cement a place in the Newcastle first team.
“Hatem still hasn’t quite grasped, in my opinion, this Premier League,” Pardew told Mirror Football.
He’s got unbelievable talent, but he’s not used to it. He’s got to fight now to get in this team.
“He could still have a massive impact on this season, but we need to see him at his best. He isn’t out of the picture yet,” the trainer concluded.
Newcastle are currently in fifth place in the Premier League standings and travel to take on Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
By Gareth McKnight
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