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French Revelations: The Decline Of Marseille’s Enfant Terrible, Hatem Ben Arfa
Prodigious winger Ben Arfa exploded onto the scene with Lyon when he debuted in 2007 but has since wandered towards the void. Goal.com’s Robin Bairner investigates.
Jan 21, 2010 7:00:00 AM
By Robin Bairner
Two years ago, Hatem Ben Arfa was undoubtedly one of the rising stars of French football. Playing regularly for Alain Perrin’s Olympique Lyonnais, the youngster was thrilling on the wing, enjoying an almost telepathic relationship with team-mate Karim Benzema, whose critically hailed performances he was close to matching on a weekly basis.
Now, whilst Benzema is slowly establishing himself at Real Madrid, Ben Arfa’s career is at a crossroads. Largely stuck to the bench of Olympique de Marseille and known for controversial outbursts and temper tantrums, the prodigious young talent has been labelled as French football’s enfant terrible. Is there any way back for the 22-year-old?
The origins of Ben Arfa’s decline can be traced back to when he was pushing towards the peak of his time with OL. Obviously bristling with confidence, the highly-rated member of ‘Generation 87’ – a group of French footballers considered to be something of a golden generation in l’Hexagone – was reportedly at the centre of a dispute with Benzema, who had already established himself firmly as an important first team member.
Having previously enjoyed a wonderful understanding with his contemporary on the field, suddenly the relationship grew somewhat chilly, decreasing Ben Arfa’s productivity towards the end of the 2007-08 season.
But it was also during that time that Ben Arfa had a training ground spat with Sebastien Squillaci, the first firm controversy of his career. Having just signed a new deal that should have seen him handcuffed to the Stade Gerland club until June 2010, suddenly his position at Lyon was in jeopardy.
Ben Arfa quickly became unhappy with life in the Rhone Valley and set about angling for a move elsewhere in the summer of 2008. There were a glut of clubs reportedly interested in the youngster, with Arsenal and Real Madrid amongst those considering a swoop for his services. No bids were apparently forthcoming from any true European giants, so the precocious Parisian decided to force his club’s hand.
Negotiations between OL and OM had appeared as whispers in the press, but after it was publicly declared by the former that they had broken off talks, Ben Arfa grew impatient and marched like a moody teenager to the south coast, where he declared his loyalty to les Phoceens and indicated that he would not be returning to Lyon.
After a missed training session and extensive fraught talks between Jean-Michel Aulas and Pape Diouf, then president of Marseille, a bargain was struck so that the disgruntled left winger could move south.
At Stade Velodrome, Ben Arfa seemed to have found his old self under the charge of Erik Gerets, teasing defenders in the early weeks of his time in Provence. The French international, who had made his debut for les Bleus the previous season, thrilled in the early weeks of the new campaign, scoring six goals in the opening 13 rounds, though his effort against Grenoble four minutes into a 3-0 victory on November 8 would prove to be his last league goal of the season.
Injuries frustrated the young talent, preventing him from continuing his terrific early season form. Having had trouble with adductor issues for much of his professional career, this issue would again strike, destroying his season. A player who needs consistent football to perform, Ben Arfa’s inability to gain regular game-time after his return saw his form and confidence quickly fade.
Little more than a bit-part player towards the end of Gerets’ reign, it was a sad conclusion to a campaign that had started with much promise.
Under Didier Deschamps, Ben Arfa’s form has touched new depths. He has found himself unable to chisel himself a regular berth in the starting XI, featuring only five times from the outset in the league this season, and even then only when other options haven't been available. With just 745 domestic minutes under his belt, only one goal has been plundered - against amateurs Trelissac in the Coupe de France.
More damningly, the mercurial youngster has also been the source of more internal strife, according to reports, which have linked him to bust-ups with Deschamps and absence from training.
Inevitably there has been speculation regarding his future once again. Instead of Arsenals and Real Madrids, it is the likes of Olympiacos who have been credited with an interest, though there were also reports linking the Clairefontaine graduate to Manchester United.
In Greece, one would imagine that Ben Arfa would get the starring role that he so desperately craves, doubtless rekindling his obvious talent as a footballer. Should he stay in France, his career has the potential to stagnate, though with another two or three seasons' personal growth behind him he may yet offer a resurgence.
But with the moody style of game ‘HBA’ employs, free-wheeling youthful exuberance and a fearlessness that allows him to try anything is almost a strength. Take that away and you simply have a technically gifted winger, not the special talent that he once promised to be.
Somehow, Ben Arfa has to reconcile his desires within himself, dropping the attitude on the training ground but keeping it on the park. Otherwise he faces the very real prospect of being one of French football’s great lost talents.
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Now, whilst Benzema is slowly establishing himself at Real Madrid, Ben Arfa’s career is at a crossroads. Largely stuck to the bench of Olympique de Marseille and known for controversial outbursts and temper tantrums, the prodigious young talent has been labelled as French football’s enfant terrible. Is there any way back for the 22-year-old?
The origins of Ben Arfa’s decline can be traced back to when he was pushing towards the peak of his time with OL. Obviously bristling with confidence, the highly-rated member of ‘Generation 87’ – a group of French footballers considered to be something of a golden generation in l’Hexagone – was reportedly at the centre of a dispute with Benzema, who had already established himself firmly as an important first team member.
Having previously enjoyed a wonderful understanding with his contemporary on the field, suddenly the relationship grew somewhat chilly, decreasing Ben Arfa’s productivity towards the end of the 2007-08 season.
But it was also during that time that Ben Arfa had a training ground spat with Sebastien Squillaci, the first firm controversy of his career. Having just signed a new deal that should have seen him handcuffed to the Stade Gerland club until June 2010, suddenly his position at Lyon was in jeopardy.
Ben Arfa quickly became unhappy with life in the Rhone Valley and set about angling for a move elsewhere in the summer of 2008. There were a glut of clubs reportedly interested in the youngster, with Arsenal and Real Madrid amongst those considering a swoop for his services. No bids were apparently forthcoming from any true European giants, so the precocious Parisian decided to force his club’s hand.
Negotiations between OL and OM had appeared as whispers in the press, but after it was publicly declared by the former that they had broken off talks, Ben Arfa grew impatient and marched like a moody teenager to the south coast, where he declared his loyalty to les Phoceens and indicated that he would not be returning to Lyon.
After a missed training session and extensive fraught talks between Jean-Michel Aulas and Pape Diouf, then president of Marseille, a bargain was struck so that the disgruntled left winger could move south.
At Stade Velodrome, Ben Arfa seemed to have found his old self under the charge of Erik Gerets, teasing defenders in the early weeks of his time in Provence. The French international, who had made his debut for les Bleus the previous season, thrilled in the early weeks of the new campaign, scoring six goals in the opening 13 rounds, though his effort against Grenoble four minutes into a 3-0 victory on November 8 would prove to be his last league goal of the season.
Injuries frustrated the young talent, preventing him from continuing his terrific early season form. Having had trouble with adductor issues for much of his professional career, this issue would again strike, destroying his season. A player who needs consistent football to perform, Ben Arfa’s inability to gain regular game-time after his return saw his form and confidence quickly fade.
Little more than a bit-part player towards the end of Gerets’ reign, it was a sad conclusion to a campaign that had started with much promise.
Under Didier Deschamps, Ben Arfa’s form has touched new depths. He has found himself unable to chisel himself a regular berth in the starting XI, featuring only five times from the outset in the league this season, and even then only when other options haven't been available. With just 745 domestic minutes under his belt, only one goal has been plundered - against amateurs Trelissac in the Coupe de France.
More damningly, the mercurial youngster has also been the source of more internal strife, according to reports, which have linked him to bust-ups with Deschamps and absence from training.
Inevitably there has been speculation regarding his future once again. Instead of Arsenals and Real Madrids, it is the likes of Olympiacos who have been credited with an interest, though there were also reports linking the Clairefontaine graduate to Manchester United.
In Greece, one would imagine that Ben Arfa would get the starring role that he so desperately craves, doubtless rekindling his obvious talent as a footballer. Should he stay in France, his career has the potential to stagnate, though with another two or three seasons' personal growth behind him he may yet offer a resurgence.
But with the moody style of game ‘HBA’ employs, free-wheeling youthful exuberance and a fearlessness that allows him to try anything is almost a strength. Take that away and you simply have a technically gifted winger, not the special talent that he once promised to be.
Somehow, Ben Arfa has to reconcile his desires within himself, dropping the attitude on the training ground but keeping it on the park. Otherwise he faces the very real prospect of being one of French football’s great lost talents.
For the latest news and updates from Goal.com, follow our Twitter account!
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