Ben Arfa ready for opener

Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa has promised his team will go all out for victory against Paris St Germain on Wednesday in the Trophee des Champions in Rades, Tunisia.

The annual curtain-raiser between the Ligue 1 champions and Coupe de France winners contains an extra edge this year as the fierce rivals go head to head, and it will be a particularly special encounter for Ben Arfa due to the venue.

The 23-year-old, who is of Tunisian descent, told www.om.net: "It's very special to me. I have many friends and family in Tunisia. I am very attached to this country. I often come here."

He added: "I am very happy to spend two days in Tunisia and play in the magnificent Rades stadium. I cannot wait to feel the atmosphere."

And Ben Arfa does not want to leave the stadium empty-handed.

"It's a title," he added. "It does not have the same taste as a championship or a cup but it's still a trophy, plus a marker.

"Marseille against PSG is always a highly-publicised match.

"I hope that we will win. We're competitors and we want the trophy. I want to win this match."

PSG goalkeeper Gregory Coupet reckons losing to OM is not an option

"This is not a gala meeting but an important game," said the 37-year-old. "When you play for PSG and you are faced with OM, it is a match you have to win."