SAM Allardyce admits he enjoyed winding up “arrogant” Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger whilst in charge at Wanderers.

Writing in his new book “Big Sam” which has been serialised by The Sun newspaper, Allardyce recalled how he would love to get one over on the Frenchman, be it at the Reebok, Highbury or the Emirates Stadum.

“I enjoyed beating Arsenal more than anyone when I was in charge at Bolton. We'd really got to them and Arsene Wenger hated us,” he wrote.

Allardyce lost just one of six home top flight games against Wenger and was beaten just twice in six games away from home in the Premier League and FA Cup.

“Of course, Arsenal beat us sometimes, but we drew with them or beat them more often than expected and Wenger couldn't handle it,” he recalled.

“There was one time he wouldn't shake hands with me at Highbury because we got a draw. I saw him ripping his tie off and throwing it on the floor in anger.

“He takes it all very personally and has an air or arrogance. He's not one for inviting you into his office for a drink after games.

“He's a fantastic manager, I cannot deny that. But the more I could wind him up, the more I liked it.”