Newcastle United winger Hatem Ben Arfa says he enjoys taking risks on the pitch.

His aim of being unpredictable as well as unafraid of trying to conjure something different instantly gives him the potential to be a favourite on Tyneside.

"Liking or disliking me is an ideological choice and I'm proud of it. My way of playing is a way of seeing life. Your way of playing is who you are," Ben Arfa told the News of the World.

"For example, if I hadn't been a footballer, I would have got by. I would have set something up. Even perhaps something illegal, who knows? I can't be nicey-nice, robotic.

"I have never been tempted to take fewer risks. I will never give up on how I play. I know I have to improve things that aren't good but every player has his role.

"A defender shouldn't dribble. If my job is to create space and movement, then it's my job to dribble but this has risks. People have a go at me because it's imperfect.

"But I'll keep taking risks all my life. I'm not a Playstation player and what I do is to create something that's never existed before. Sometimes it doesn't work.

"When it works, you're God, when you screw up, you're less than a nobody. So, yes, I put myself on the line because otherwise it's too easy.

"If I don't want to be criticised, I'll just get the ball and play square passes but that would be selfish as I would be protecting myself and not helping my team.

"Those who succeed are the ones who take more risks - in life, in business, in everything!"