Hatem boy

After what has seemed like months, the longest running transfer saga of our summer has reached what will hopefully prove a happy conclusion for all concerned with news that we've finally landed Hatem Ben Arfa on loan from Marseille.

Undoubtedly a player with talent as a product of the Clairefontaine Academy, Ben Arfa's recent falling out with his employers has seen him drop out of Laurent Blanc's France squad after a goalscoring debut at the start of August.

Hopefully now he's ensconced on Tyneside Ben Arfa's form for us will see him return to the ranks of Les Bleus and help keep us in the top flight - something which the player's comments would seem to echo:

"All I'm waiting for is to show what I can do in front of the public in Newcastle. A lot of my friends in France already know the fans' reputation. The stadium has an ambiance that is unique and I feel very lucky to have this opportunity."

Let's hope we are mirroring those sentiments come May.