Gunners could take advantage of the Frenchman's concern that he won't play regularly if he moves to Stamford Bridge
Arsenal have emerged as rivals to Chelsea's interest in Hatem Ben Arfa.
The 25-year-old Newcastle winger has been on the Champions League winners' radar for some time after an impressive campaign last season.
But Arsenal, whose summer reshuffle has seen them buy Cologne striker Lukas Podolski and line up Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud, are now contenders, too.
Ben Arfa is believed to have welcomed the interest, as he fears he would not play regularly if he were to trade Tyneside for Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have already clinched the signings of midfielders Eden Hazard of Lille and Marko Marin of Werder Bremen for next season, to join the likes of Juan Mata and Frank Lampard.
Ben Arfa, who is currently on Euro 2012 duty with France in Polkraine, joined Newcastle on loan from Marseille in August 2010.
The move becoming permanent soon after, even though he was out with a badly broken leg.
He returned to first-team action last September after almost a full year on the sidelines.
Ben Arfa made 32 appearances for the Magpies as they played their way to an unlikely Europa League spot when many observers had tipped them for relegation.
As his match fitness improved, he became more of threat, scoring all six of his goals for the season between Boxing Day and the end of the campaign - including a Goal-of-the-Season contender dribble from his own half against Bolton.
Arsenal have emerged as rivals to Chelsea's interest in Hatem Ben Arfa.
The 25-year-old Newcastle winger has been on the Champions League winners' radar for some time after an impressive campaign last season.
But Arsenal, whose summer reshuffle has seen them buy Cologne striker Lukas Podolski and line up Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud, are now contenders, too.
Ben Arfa is believed to have welcomed the interest, as he fears he would not play regularly if he were to trade Tyneside for Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have already clinched the signings of midfielders Eden Hazard of Lille and Marko Marin of Werder Bremen for next season, to join the likes of Juan Mata and Frank Lampard.
Ben Arfa, who is currently on Euro 2012 duty with France in Polkraine, joined Newcastle on loan from Marseille in August 2010.
The move becoming permanent soon after, even though he was out with a badly broken leg.
He returned to first-team action last September after almost a full year on the sidelines.
Ben Arfa made 32 appearances for the Magpies as they played their way to an unlikely Europa League spot when many observers had tipped them for relegation.
As his match fitness improved, he became more of threat, scoring all six of his goals for the season between Boxing Day and the end of the campaign - including a Goal-of-the-Season contender dribble from his own half against Bolton.
Source :Mirror.co.uk
