Hatem Ben Arfa is a pretty controversial guy, but he certainly knows how to play football.

Aside from the shock comments, fitness concerns and discipline issues, you have a winger with silky dribbling and a keen eye for goal. Ultimately though, he’s never truly kicked on to be one of Europe’s finest.

Nevertheless, whether you agree with it or not, Ben Arfa has managed to wangle his way to no less than Paris Saint-Germain. It proves a move that as little as two years ago would have seemed nothing short of lunacy.

SIGN UP NOW

Want to become a GMS writer? Sign up now and submit a 250-word test article: http://gms.to/haveyoursay

Thanks to an inspired season with Nice, in which he scored 18 goals in 37 outings, that’s exactly where he finds himself. Lets not forget that this is a player who was released by Hull City in 2015.

Ben Arfa has been making steady progress at the Parc des Princes, too. He’s far from set the world alight under Unai Emery but has been handed 33 appearances for his troubles.

It must be admitted, however, that only a mere seven of them have seen him start the match. Goals have dried up as well with just four to his name and the 30-year-old has picked up as many yellow cards as he has assists.

Last night proved a different story. Having been given the nod in the Coupe de France quarterfinals, Ben Arfa stepped up to the plate and scored a brace against third division Avranches.

His second goal proved rather routine, a tap-in from a Lucas Moura cross, but his opening strike was truly special.

Positioned on the right flank of the penalty area, it proved a free-kick asking for a floated cross into the box. Ben Arfa thought otherwise and, incredibly, took on the shot having been subtly teed up.

What happened next can be seen below:

It’s quite the strike, let’s be honest here. The ex-Newcastle man truly wraps his foot around the ball and beats Anthony Beuve all ends up at his back post.

It certainly sent a message to the sidelines and sets up a tasty semi-final clash with league leaders AS Monaco. Lucas and Javier Pastore provided the other two goals in the 4-0 win.

In spite of this screamer, though, Ben Arfa’s future in the French capital remains in doubt.

The midfielder voiced his frustration at a lack of game time by posting videos on social media recently in which he announced: “I don’t accept my situation.” As a result, he is being heavily linked with an exit and looks set for sale in the summer.

It seems, once again, Ben Arfa’s talent and skill is being undermined by his love affair with anything and everything controversial.

Do you think Newcastle were wrong to sell Ben Arfa in 2015? Have YOUR say in the comment box below