Baup: Arsenal have proven their quality

The French believes that the English side will once again provide a stern test for his troops when they meet at the Emirates on Tuesday evening

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Olympique de Marseille coach Elie Baup has claimed that Arsenal have silenced any critics who questioned their abilities with a fine start to the season.

On the eve of his side’s meeting with the Premier League leaders at the Emirates Stadium, the Frenchman was keen to stress the quality his players will come up against in north London.

“In my mind, [Arsenal] are a team that has ability and are also a very balanced team,” he told the press.

“They can manage difficult spells in the game and when they are having a good spell they can be decisive.

“The proof is already there in terms of the league - I think they are the best team in our group and there is no problem for them in the Champions League.

"They have very good attacking quality. They also have great technical players and a great spirit within the team.”

While Arsenal are well placed to qualify from Group F, which they top on nine points, the French club’s European dreams have already been ended and they are simply aiming to avoid a complete whitewash of defeats. Baup has warned that arresting that run will be no easy feat.

“In terms of the table and the points, then, obviously things are not going particularly well, but it is up to everyone to put in a good performance [on Tuesday],” he said.

“Against Arsenal in the first game we had a good performance for an hour or so. But they were able to exploit the moment that we were not doing so well and that is what a top quality side can do to you.

"Ultimately their experience allowed them to win the game.”