Allardyce barks orders as Wenger despairs that April day 13 years ago (Photo: Getty)
Arsene Wenger has revealed how Sam Allardyce left him scarred for life.
It was a match against one of Allardyce’s Bolton teams that lives on in Wenger's memory – some 13 years ago - as the two prepare to face one another again in Crystal Palace's visit to the Emirates.
Arsenal were hot on the tails of Manchester United in April 2003 and an away win over Bolton would have taken them top of the Premier League table.
Big Sam had stoked up the pre-match antipathy by suggesting that for all their eye-catching football, the Gunners had the worst disciplinary record in the league.
Wenger’s nerves were calmed as goals from Sylvain Wiltord and Robert Pires had his side 2-0 up with only 15 minutes left.
But his frustration grew as Youri Djorkaeff scored for the Trotters and then an own-goal from Martin Keown put the game level at 2-2 and left United clear at the top of the table – an advantage they would not surrender.
There was an iconic moment when the usually dapper Wenger loosened his tie as the pressure on his men intensified – and the Frenchman remembered it well ahead of Sunday afternoon’s match.
“I’m competitive and every disappointment stays with me for ever. It is a scar on your heart. It is the problem of my life, basically.”
He remembers loosening his tie.
“Yes, of course,” he said. “Football is like real life but in a more condensed, more intense way. It can be very cruel. You live a normal life but at some moments it catches you suddenly. In competition, it is like that.
“Unfortunately, you have awkward moments and you never forget them. But it is part of the game.”
Wenger spent some time with Djorkaeff at the European Championship in their French homeland last summer and that 2003 clash was a talking point.
“At the time, Bolton had players that could make it uncomfortable for you – very physical, very direct. They had a good team as well – with Jay-Jay Okocha, Djorkaeff, Kevin Davies and Ivan Campo," added Wenger.
“They could mix it up as well. When they needed to be direct, they could be really direct.”
But the years have clearly left Wenger more calm towards Allardyce and he had nothing but praise for a man who went on to be England manager – albeit for just one game.
He said of Big Sam: “He has the quality of a guy who is intelligent as he adapts to the level of his team and makes it simple for them to apply what he wants.
“So I believe adaptability is one of his strengths.”
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