New Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has accused Arsene Wenger of being arrogant and said he relished winding up the Arsenal boss.

Wenger's Arsenal often found it difficult when playing Allardyce's former side Bolton, where Allardyce was in charge from 1999 to 2007.

Since leaving Bolton, who were renowned for their direct style of play, Allardyce has managed Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham, who he left at the end of last season before being appointed Sunderland's new boss last week.

Writing in his book, "Big Sam, The Autobiography," as serialised by The Sun, the 60-year-old explained how much he enjoyed his rivalry with Wenger.

Allardyce said: "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.

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

Sam Allardyce: "I loved winding up arrogant Wenger" http://t.co/T493gQfG1X pic.twitter.com/13dTHEgswC - The Sun - Football (@TheSunFootball) October 13, 2015

"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.

"He tried to influence refs through the media and create a perception that we were bullies committing all the fouls, while his team just wanted to play.

"It seemed he wanted a rule where they should be allowed to do what they wanted with the ball, without us being allowed to tackle them."

Allardyce also clashed with former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, who mocked Blackburn's style of play during the 2009-10 season.

He added: "Rafa Benitez was another one. When we beat his Liverpool team he would complain 'They don't play my type of football.'

"What was that, then? Winning football? He didn't like me and he thought he was superior.