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Ben Arfa: Improved attitude has helped my chances of representing France
May 21, 2012 11:25:00 PM
The Magpies attacking midfielder is more at peace with himself now and is hoping his positive form on and off the pitch will help secure him a place in Poland and the Ukraine
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FRANCE
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GROUP D
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Newcastle United attacker Hatem Ben Arfa believes his improved attitude will help him gain a position in France‘s 23-man squad for Euro 2012.
The 25-year-old was cut from the national squad for Euro 2008 and complete left out for World Cup 2010 by former coach Raymond Domenech.
His move to the Tyneside followed a troubled spell at Marseille where he fell out with coach Didier Deschamps, but the Frenchman has highlighted his improvement and hopes it will improve his chances of being selected.
"I am more peaceful now," Ben Arfa told reporters at France's training camp in Clairefontaine.
"I make more efforts for the others. Every failure makes you grow. I have evolved and at 25 I think I'm more mature than when I was 20."
France manager Laurent Blanc must reduce his current squad to 23 by May 29 and Ben Arfa has stated he is ready for whatever decision the coach makes.
"Obviously you wonder what is going to happen but I have no hunch. I just hope I will be in the squad.
"I still remember the shocks of 2008 and 2010. If it has to happen, I will adapt."
France will play England in their opening game of the European Championships on the June 11, with Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine also drawn alongside them in Group D.
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