Thiago Motta backs Hatem Ben Arfa to return to Paris Saint-Germain squad

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta has called on Hatem Ben Arfa to continue to work hard in order to regain his place in the first-team squad.

Ben Arfa has made five appearances for the Ligue 1 champions since signing from Nice in the summer, but he has been left out of Unai Emery's last three squads after falling out of favour with the club's new boss.

The 34-year-old told reporters: "We all want him to be the Hatem we saw last season, as he did very well with Nice. There is a team and he is part of that team. We will support Hatem until the end.

"It is not easy for the coach to make his decisions. Hatem, the advice I can give him, is to continue to work hard. He is a great player and he showed that last season. He will get more opportunities."

Last term, Ben Arfa netted 17 times in 34 appearances during his one and only season in Nice.