Does Ben Arfa need to be a striker?

Newcastle United playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa has been efficient drifting off the wings and being given licence to roam between the midfield and up front.

In the 2011/12 campaign he even should his capability to move up front as part of a devastating three, with Cisse and Ba.

This time round he may be required to move into the forward line once again. Cisse may have scored on the weekend, but his confidence is far from fully restored.

Ameobi can hold up the ball well but those in Black and White know that the time has come and passed when he was expected to be a hero upon Tyneside, except for on Derby day.

This leaves the talismanic Frenchman to be brought in to show his attacking qualities at least until the summer to help Newcastle achieve their aims.

He has played as an auxiliary striker in the past, but now Newcastle rely upon the French International to become a more central striker to provide Cisse the help he requires.

In order to get through in the Europa League they need more guile and invention up front.

If Ben Arfa could prove successful upfront alongside Gouffran and Cisse in the Premier League too it could certainly provide a blueprint for next season too for the Magpies.

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