Wednesday 10 February 2016 20:29, UK
Former Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa has shed some light on why he described his time at St James' Park as "hell" and says he is in "paradise" back in France.
During an explosive interview with France Football in November, the France international said his final few months under Alan Pardew were the worst of his career.
The same period also saw a season-long loan spell with Hull City end after six months after he made nine appearances and failed to score.
Ben Arfa eventually moved to French Ligue 1 side Nice last January, and he has now clarified the comments he made during the infamous interview.
"Hell is when everyone turns their back on you," the winger told French football publication Onze Mondial.
"Well, no, hell is when you can't see the end of the tunnel. You're on your own, with no one to support you and you move forward in the fog. You don't know where you're going, you just know that you're going in the wrong path. I've lived all of that.
"Now, I'm lucky to have a club and especially a coach who support me. It's paradise compared to what I went through. I don't feel lonely anymore. I feel loved."
FIFA regulations meant Ben Arfa could not feature for Nice until the start of the 2015/16 season, but he has been in fantastic form since his debut.
He has scored 12 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions for the club and has earned a recall to the France national team, but will miss the next month with a hamstring injury.
Such is his new found form, the winger has also reportedly attracted attention from clubs like PSG, Real Madrid and Juventus, with Ben Arfa not ruling out a move elsewhere.
"The door is always open for PSG. Moreover, it is open to all clubs. I do not close the door to anyone," he added.
