EDDIE Howe said keeping Cherries in the Premier League would “probably be the biggest achievement” of his managerial career – but insisted there was still a long way to go.

Howe, now in his second spell, has presided over the club’s rise from the depths of League Two to the Premier League with Cherries currently 15th in the top flight and seven points clear of the drop zone.

Despite the buffer, Howe was adamant there could be no let up as his players bid to preserve the club’s Premier League status over the final 14 games of their debut campaign at the top level.

Asked how big an achievement it would be to keep Cherries up, Howe replied: “Probably the biggest because of the quality of the league we are competing in and the difficult start we had with injuries to key players and everything that was thrown at us.

“But we haven’t achieved anything yet. We’re on the road to doing that but it’s still going to be very difficult and we’re coming to some key games.”

The visit of Arsenal on Sunday will see Howe pit his wits against Arsene Wenger – with the two longest-serving managers in the Premier League going head to head at the Vitality Stadium.

Asked whether he could see himself staying with Cherries for the next 15 to 20 years, Howe replied: “Who knows? I would feel very old and fatigued by then if I did!

“You can never say never in football. The dream is to have longevity in management.

“It’s the hardest thing to do and that’s why I’m full of respect and admiration for Arsene.

“Full credit to him for being able to stay at a top club under that kind of scrutiny and everything that goes with being at one of the biggest clubs in the country.

“He has been able to withstand that pressure and has kept producing good teams, playing good football and winning games.

“It’s incredibly difficult and is the challenge for every other manager. But as time goes on, it does seem to become more difficult.”