Hatem Ben Arfa targets more goals

Newcastle attacker Hatem Ben Arfa has stated that his goal against Bolton on Boxing Day is the first of many this season, as he looks to play an important role at the club.

The French forward came off the bench to score against The Trotters on Monday, and with Demba Ba leaving to compete in the African Cup of Nations in the new year Ben Arfa will be asked to accept more responsibility.

Despite only recently returning from a broken leg, Ben Arfa feels he has a lot to prove to the Tyneside fans.

“There is much more where that came from,” he told Mirror Football.

“I want to make something clear: I am nearly 100% fit and if I play then I will show more to the fans – and more to the club.

“I was very happy to be on the pitch and to score that goal. It feels great. I think I’m just coming near to 100 per cent after my injury. I feel sharp and I feel good.

“And I’m really happy because the fans are behind me and supporting me, which is important to me.

“I was very surprised when I came out of the tunnel to see that 4,000 fans were there to support us, but I think it’s a great thing,” he continued.

Alan Pardew’s men take on Liverpool at Anfield on Friday, and Ben Arfa is looking forward to facing the Merseyside giants.

“I just hope that the goals are going to come one after another now. It was important to get a win because the next game is going to be very hard.

“The atmosphere at Anfield is very special, but the most important thing will not be the ground – it will be the three points,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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