Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has claimed that he has the utmost respect for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, but believes that the Gunners are underachieving.

Both sides square off at the Emirates Stadium tonight, with Koeman's club third in the Premier League table, six points ahead of their North London counterparts.

Arsenal trail runaway leaders Chelsea by 13 points in what has proven their worst start to a top-flight season for 32 years, but given their resources, the Dutchman feels that Wenger's men should be challenging for the title.

"I have a lot of respect for Wenger. I look up to him because he's been in management and at Arsenal a long time," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"He's doing a fantastic job, but teams like Arsenal should be fighting for the title, and there will always be critics if that is not happening.

"He is much more experienced at management than I am and he will handle the situation with no problems at all."

Southampton have already tasted victory at the Emirates this season after knocking Arsenal out of the Capital One Cup in September.