Ben Arfa untroubled by Marseille pressure

For all their domination of the French game in the last few years, Olympique Lyonnais still know how it feels to be upstaged. The seven-time champions hit upon their winning formula too recently to have fired the schoolboy imaginations of today's players, and not for the first time this summer they were left cursing the enduring popularity of Olympique de Marseille.

'Biggest club'
Hatem Ben Arfa brought that curious conundrum back to light, the versatile French international insisting on joining Marseille, who last won a major trophy in 1993, despite Lyon's efforts to steer the precocious playmaker towards Real Madrid CF rather than let him join a domestic rival. "Marseille are iconic in France," said the 21-year-old. "They're the biggest club, even if the last few years have not been so good. The team has a place in the minds of the French people. When I was a kid, everyone talked about Marseille, and it's a real honour to play for them now. [Lyon] are the No1 club in France, but I believe Marseille can compete with them."

Creative invention
Despite the high-profile €11m transfer and having only ever known Lyon as a player, Ben Arfa has already settled in splendidly, scoring a goal on his debut at Stade Rennais FC and quickly filling the gap left by Arsenal FC-bound Samir Nasri. "Marseille have a president and a staff that really make you feel welcome," he explained. For coach Erik Gerets, meanwhile, he is a player capable of injecting the kind of creative invention that turns also-rans into title contenders. "He expects me to do what I can do," added Ben Arfa. "To make the difference in the last 30 metres, to make the final pass, to score a goal, to create some space. Now I need to play my own game and play for the team so that everyone raises their game."

No pressure
Many a footballer has joined Marseille singing a similar tune only to be crushed by the weight of expectation. The same fervent fans that make OM such a desirable destination can turn on players judged to be under-performing, but Ben Arfa feels ready for any challenge. "We all grow up," he said. "By coming here, I know I will improve and grow as a football player and a man. The most important thing is to be strong mentally and then you'll be good on the pitch. I don't talk about pressure because pressure is a made-up concept. There is no pressure. We eat well, we earn good money, we do a job that we love, so there is no pressure for us."

'Great potential'
Given that he can operate on the left, the right, behind the strikers or even as a centre-forward, perhaps it is no surprise Ben Arfa seems to have adapted so quickly. He can also see himself playing beyond French borders later down the line, but for now his horizons are being sufficiently expanded by the UEFA Champions League – and by France's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Despite being left out of Raymond Domenech's UEFA EURO 2008™ squad, much is expected of the Clamart native and fellow youngsters Nasri, Karim Benzema of Lyon and AS Roma striker Jérémy Menez. "It's true we have a special generation," said Ben Arfa, who already has six caps. "Some started their careers very early and were soon in the national team. This generation is promising and people expect a lot, so we must prove ourselves. I think there's great potential." He is not the only one.

To watch parts of this interview in this week's uefa.com Magazine, click here.