Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he has no problem with Blackburn Rovers rival Sam Allardyce.

Wenger has been critical of Allardyce's style of football employed at Bolton Wanderers, but ahead of today's game said: "I believe Sam is a long time in the job and has good experience. He has done well in the clubs where he was. He was not given enough time at Newcastle and overall, apart from there, he has done very well.

"I always shake hands with him afterwards and we leave what has happened on the pitch there. I was not always happy after the games because there were some big confrontations. But, at the end of the day, that is what sport is about."

Wenger, 59, who celebrated his 13th year in charge last week, added: "Sam had good players at Bolton - Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-Jay Okocha, Nicolas Anelka - so they had quality and spirit too. I anticipate exactly the same from Blackburn."