Davide Santon feels Newcastle will miss their star player Hatem Ben Arfa, when they face Southampton tomorrow. Ben Arfa has been Toon’s main creative force this season, showing amazing skill and clinical finishing in the final third. The Frenchman limped off in Thursday’s Europa game against Maritimo, with Pardew confirming he won’t play a part tomorrow. Santon knows how a big a player Ben Arfa is: “He’s a really big player for us. I think we will miss him. “He’s an amazing player and we need him on the pitch. We will have to try a different type of player. He’s been the best player for us this season and being without him will be difficult for us on Sunday. But we have to win, 100 per cent, because we need this win.” In the build-up, Pardew revealed that he’s got as many as eleven senior players out injured. Yohan Cabaye and Fabricio Coloccini are two of those players. Santon thinks failure to put out a consistent side has been the problem: “It’s difficult because if you’re playing with the same players, it’s easier. “When you change the players every game because one’s injured or one’s suspended, it’s difficult to keep the same performances. It’s just tough.” Ben Arfa is also likely to miss Wednesday’s trip to the Britannia stadium for the game against Stoke. Who should replace Ben Arfa on the right side of midfield tomorrow?
Comments