Pardew Challenges Ben Arfa For Striker Role

By Toon Stig

Newcastle United Manager, Alan Pardew, has challenged Hatem Ben Arfa to provide competition to for the striker role vacated by Andy Carroll.

The Frenchman returns tonight to face Nottingham Forest in the Carling Cup after being out of action for almost a year.

Pardew has urged Ben Arfa to provide competition with Demba Ba.

Pardew said,
"He will bring a creative
force to the team that is
different to what we
have," said Pardew. "He is
probably different to a lot
of players in the Premier
League. He's elusive on
the ball.
"What's important for him
is to make sure he grabs
the work-rate that we
have got in the team. If he
grabs that, he's got a
good chance of getting
into this team.
"He will have that number
10 role that Demba Ba did
on Saturday and did very,
very well for us, so that's
where he's got good
competition."