Is the answer to Newcastle’s problems playing for their reserves?

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Hatem Ben Arfa says he wants to stay with the Magpies. Is it time for Alan Pardew to use the 27-year-old?

According to the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, the Frenchman has told team-mates he wants to stay at St James’ Park and fight a place in the Newcastle United side.

Pardew’s men, meanwhile, have gone two games without a goal in the Premier League, as worries begin to surface over their ability to find the back of the net.

Could two and two, then, make four?

Ben Arfa has had his troubles on Tyneside but, when a side is struggling for goals, it’s not often a playmaker with flair is available to sign – let alone be part of your squad already.

Indeed, the 27-year-old is currently playing for Newcastle’s reserves – but Magpies fans have attended in their hundreds to watch him.

And, in hist first 90-minute game for them – a 5-2 win against Reading – Ben Arfa did what he does best, scoring a fine individual goal.

Perhaps it is time for Pardew to put his ego to one side and give the Frenchman a run out.

As Opta stats show, Ben Arfa has been one of Newcastle’s top four scorers in every one of the past three Premier League seasons. He hasn’t scored that many but goals and assists have always been a feature of his game.

Meanwhile, he has won more dribbles than any Newcastle player hands down in the past three years. Just the creativity Pardew might need.

If the Magpies continue to falter in front of goal, Ben Arfa might just be worth a call, then. He may not track back and he may prefer to go it alone rather than find his team-mates. But he can score and create goals – something Pardew’s side so far look as though they will struggle to do this season.