Sam Allardyce opens up on old mind games with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
Sunday 1 January 2017 14:43, UK
Sam Allardyce has revealed how winding up Arsene Wenger was motivated by a desire to win and respect for his adversary.
Crystal Palace's new boss opened up on his mind games ahead of the New Year's Day clash at the Emirates as he prepared to resume his touchline rivalry with the Frenchman.
The pair often clashed during Allardyce's time at Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United.
Looking forward to facing his old foe in a match live on Sky Sports 1 from 3.30pm, Allardyce said: "We have had a few run-ins, but if you beat a side like Arsenal and are not expected to, that's the great pleasure.
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"That was the grumpy old days - the 'I'll get under your skin' days. Even then though, I always had the greatest respect for what he has done.
"I developed a Bolton side capable of beating big teams on a regular basis, but that took a long time.
"Building a long term future over seven to eight years like I did at Bolton, or what Arsene has done at Arsenal, is unlikely to happen in this country now. Your job is to get better as quickly as possible."
The pressure will be on both managers with Palace one place above the drop zone, while the Gunners are in fourth, just one point ahead of rivals Tottenham, who head to Watford in the first of Super Sunday's live Sky Sports games.
Regarding their opponents, Allardyce added: "They're in that period now when in the past they have tended to falter, whether it's through injuries or fatigue, the amount of physical and emotional effort they have to put in to stay at the top of the league.
"If we could achieve a result at The Emirates it would be huge. We will have so much less of the ball than Arsenal so it's what we do with it when we have it that matters."
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