Paris Saint-Germain have enjoyed a perfect start to the season, most recently turning over Lyon 2-0 on Sunday.
However, it’s their high-profile duo of Edinson Cavani and Neymar that’s made the headlines for their dispute over penalty-taking responsibilities.
Having already scored three times from the spot this season, Cavani stepped up to take PSG’s penalty against Lyon but had to fend off advances for Neymar who was keen to have a go.
The Uruguayan ended up missing from the 12-yard mark, compounding the ugly dispute.
Reports of the two players being at each others throats in the dressing room hasn’t helped and neither has Neymar’s social media activity as he proceeded to unfollow his teammate on Instagram.
The question is, who should take PSG’s next penalty?
Ideally, neither Neymar nor Cavani should be first pick. In fact, the hugely gifted yet mercurial Hatem Ben Arfa is the most qualified.
The Frenchman may be struggling to find a place in the first XI but by all accounts, he is the most likely to hit the back of the net from the penalty spot.
Ben Arfa: Can I have a go?
The 30-year-old is almost unplayable when he’s on his game and boasts a perfect penalty record. He’s scored all 13 of his efforts from the spot over the course of his career, putting away six during his impressive 2015/16 season at Nice.
In comparison, Neymar has converted just 74% of his penalties, scoring 49 and missing 17 while Cavani has managed 80%, with 46 scored and 11 missed.
Of course, Ben Arfa is unlikely to match the playing time of the two stars enthralled in a battle of the egos but his record does lead one to wonder whether he would get the nod over the duo should he happen to be on the pitch when a penalty is awarded.
If football was anything like the NFL, Ben Arfa could stake a claim as a penalty specialist in the mould of a field goal kicker for the rest of his career. Thankfully, it’s not.
