Arsene Wenger: 'People have underestimated me'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that people have underestimated him during his career as he prepares for his landmark 811th Premier League game in charge of the club.

Wenger will surpass the record of long-time rival Sir Alex Ferguson as the most experienced boss in Premier League history when Arsenal take on West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Sunday.

The Frenchman's position at the club has come under increasing scrutiny for the best part of a decade now, but he insists that he remains his own biggest critic.

"First of all, I feel lucky to have been at the club for such a long time. I've worked very hard every day of my life. Maybe people underestimated me," he told reporters.

"In modern society it is more demanding: there are more opinions, more questions. But I've always set high standards and there is nobody harsher on myself than me."

Wenger was appointed Arsenal manager in October 1996 and has since won 468 Premier League games, drawing 197 and losing 145.