Hatem Ben Arfa unhappy with lack of chances

Hatem Ben Arfa has admitted that he is frustrated with the lack of playing time he has been given at Newcastle United this season.

The 24-year-old has fully recovered from the injuries that disrupted the beginning of his Magpies career but the midfielder has only started three league games this season.

The former Marseille player said: "I'm a competitor and I want to play every game, every minute. The manager knows what I'm thinking. He knows I want to play. He makes his choices and I have to respect them."

Ben Arfa also admitted that he does not always agree with the style of football encouraged by manager Alan Pardew.

"For him, it's more crosses, a bit of a more direct style, whereas I'm more the kind of player who likes to play short passes," he added.

The Frenchman was left on the bench as Newcastle recorded a 3-0 win over champions Manchester United on Wednesday evening.