France international Hatem Ben Arfa has insisted that Newcastle United made his life a living nightmare during his time in the north east of England.
The 28-year-old has found a new lease of life at OGC Nice and his performances this season, which includes seven goals in 13 Ligue 1 appeaerances, have earned him a recall to the France squad.
However, Ben Arfa’s future looked uncertain when he moved to Nice in January after cancelling his contract with Newcastle United, as he was not allowed to play until the start of the 2015/16 campaign because of FIFA regulations.
The Frenchman revealed his ordeal in England and admits that he felt down and out during his spell at Newcastle United. He conceded that he felt humiliated when he was frozen out of the first team picture at the start of last season and was made to train with the reserves.
In an interview with France Football, Ben Arfa said: “It was a very, very difficult period. The worst in my career.
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“The nightmare started at Newcastle. There, from the start of the new season in August 2014, I was placed in the reserves.
“It was terribly humiliating. The weeks passed and I was still with 16, 17-year-olds on the pitch away from the first-team. I didn’t understand it.
“They made me live a nightmare.”
Ben Arfa also fell out of favour during his loan spell at Hull City, as Steve Bruce was left unimpressed with his work ethic.
