Ben Arfa could stay at L'OM

French star may remain at club despite manager bust-up

Last updated: 28th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ben Arfa could stay at L'OM

Ben Arfa: Could stay with Marseille

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Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo insists that playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa still has a future at the club.

The 22-year-old has fallen out with L'OM manager Didier Deschamps at the Stade Velodrome and has been involved in a number of training ground bust-ups since his move from Lyon last year.

But Anigo revealed that despite ongoing speculation regarding a move away, the Frenchman could continue at the club beyond the end of the season.

"He got a big slap with our talk after the incident with coach Deschamps," he told radio station RMC.

"Now he is working better during training sessions. He is far from leaving yet.

"But on the other hand, he has to show development."

L'OM officials had a meeting with Ben Arfa on Monday to discuss the player's future and many still expect the left-sided player to move in January.

But Ben Arfa's agent Michel Ouazine said that no decision had been made. "We agreed to meet again in January and take stock," he told L'Equipe.

"We talked a lot about Hatem the football player, but also about the man. He needs emotional stability to blossom.

"We are on the same wavelength with sport director Jose Anigo."