Sunday 1 January 2017 14:43, UK
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists Sam Allardyce is not stuck with a particular system and can modify his style of play to suit his players.
The two managers come up against one another on New Year's Day when Allardyce takes his Crystal Palace side to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, live on Sky Sports 1HD.
It will be just his second game in charge of the Eagles after the former England boss replaced Alan Pardew at Selhurst Park in December.
Both men have had their flash points having done battle in the Premier League for over a decade, and Wenger concedes he still hurts from a 2-2 draw against Allardyce's Bolton in 2003 which went a long way to costing the Gunners the title.
Having been branded a long-ball specialist and a manager who is more than happy to employ rough and tumble tactics, Allardyce has always impressed his contemporaries with an ability to embrace the latest technology within the game.
And Wenger feels his own, attacking approach to management is no longer at the opposite end of the spectrum to the man who will sit in the away dugout on Sunday.
"It is less and less. I don't think the difference is as black and white," Wenger said.
"I think 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 from them. So I believe his adaptability is one of his strengths.
"When he has to be direct in a team, he can be direct. When he has to get them to play, he gets them to play. He is competent - it is as simple as that."
Wenger has not always spoken as kindly about Allardyce and it was a game at the Reebok Stadium in 2003 which will stick in his mind.
The Gunners were fighting for the title with Manchester United but missed the chance to top the table in late April when they let a two-goal lead slip to draw with Allardyce's Trotters.
And the 67-year-old concedes it is a moment which still weighs heavy on his heart almost 14 years on.
"Unfortunately, you have awkward moments in a career and you never forget them," Wenger said.
"But it's part of the game and it's part of the English charm, as well. Because what happens to us can happen to the opponents.
"At the time, they had the players that could make it uncomfortable for you. Very physical. Very direct.
"They had a good team, as well. They had Jay-Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff, Kevin Davies, Ivan Campo. I forget a few now but they had a really good team.
"I spent a lot of time with Djorkaeff during the European Championship and he said that they had really good players, they had a good team. And they could mix it up well."
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