Arles' immediate return to the second tier was confirmed today as Valenciennes'  1-0 victory rubber-stamped their Ligue 1 relegation.
Faruk Hadzibegic's side were destined for an immediate return to Ligue 2 following last year's promotion after a dreadful campaign which has seen them win just once and sit rock-bottom with just 13 points.
Those woes were compounded today as Gregory Pujol's second-half strike earned Valenciennes victory and confirmed their relegation.
After a quiet opening Arles had a chance in the 19th minute. Deme N'Diaye collected the ball and ran at goal, taking on the visitors' defence before seeing his shot blocked. The midfielder tried to collect the rebound before the move fizzled out.
Two minutes later Valenciennes had their first chance of the afternoon as Foued Kadir led a counter attack, the Algerian shooting but seeing his effort squeeze just inches wide of goal with Vincent Plante well beaten.
In the 35th minute Valenciennes had two more chances. Rafael Schmitz's header from the far post lacked power from Mathieu Dossevi's cross, before Dossevi then found himself one-on-one with Plante from Gaetan Bong's pass but the goalkeeper made the save.
Six minutes before the break the visitors should have gone ahead when Bobo Balde's defensive error allowed Kadir in. He fed Pujol but the striker's shot went over.
The decisive goal came in the 67th minute. Kadir swung in a cross from the right which Bong headed at goal. Plante made the save but only managed to parry the ball to Pujol, who tapped home with ease.
Arles went close to a leveller ten minutes from time but Bakary Soro's cross was smashed the wrong side of the post by Yann Kermogrant as the hosts' bid to delay the inevitable came up short.