Gareth Barry breaks Premier League appearance record as Arsenal congratulate West Brom midfielder

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Gareth Barry has revealed his children took the day off school to watch him break the Premier League appearance record, but he was keen to treat facing Arsenal like any other game. 

Barry, 36, made it 633 Premier League appearances after being handed a starting role against the Gunners for West Brom on Monday night.

The former Aston Villa, Manchester City and Everton midfielder eclipsed the record of Ryan Giggs, although the Welshman made 672 top-flight appearances for Manchester United.  

West Brom manager Tony Pulis selected Gareth Barry from the start against Arsenal 

The 36-year-old midfielder warms up ahead of kick-off against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium

Barry's No 18 shirt hangs up inside the away team dressing room ahead of his milestone night

The former Everton anchorman was straight into the action challenging Alexandre Lacazette

Arsene Wenger provided Barry with a special signed shirt with the No 633, and the club tweeted after the match: 'Congratulations on your Premier League appearance record, Gareth Barry, from all of us at Arsenal.'

But the player put aside his personal milestone to focus on helping his team to successive league wins over Arsenal for the first time since March 1977.

He told Sky Sports: 'It's obviously a nice moment for myself and I'm very proud to reach this number but like anything I'll try and put that to the back of the mind and concentrate on winning the game of football. 

'Then after the match and hopefully a positive result, it will be something I can look back on and be proud of.'  

The veteran midfielder speaks to Sky Sports' Patrick Davison ahead of kick-off on Monday

Barry has no plans to call it a day yet, meaning he could be the first to reach 700 appearances

The England international looks to escape the attentions of Mohamed Elneny at the Emirates

The former England midfielder signed for Albion from Everton in the summer and he has a year's option on the initial 12-month deal he signed and sees himself playing on for longer until he's 40. 

Barry has suffered 16 losses in his career to date against Arsenal - the joint-second most defeats against a single opponent - but he revealed an extra motivation for wanting to cap his evening with a win. 

The experienced pro, who captained West Brom on the night, added: 'A couple of my brothers are Spurs fans so they'll have a bit extra incentive to come and hopefully see us get a result today so they'll be there cheering me on.

'The kids have had the day off school to come and support me tonight so it'll be a nice moment for them to be there too. 

'I don't think I'll be thinking about [the record] at all. 

'Once we're out there it's about going out and playing the game, doing your job as normal and then thinking about it after the game.' 

Barry, who drew level with Giggs when he played in West Brom's goalless draw against West Ham last weekend, also made his 601st start in the top flight. 

His landmark appearance came against the Gunners, who twice tried to sign him during his long career, and Giggs took to social media to congratulate the West Brom man.

Barry established himself as key man at Villa, making 365 Premier League appearances

Barry moved to Manchester City in 2012 and went on to with the Premier League title

He has surpassed Ryan Giggs as the Premier League player with most-ever appearances -  633

The former Manchester United winger congratulated Barry on his 'massive achievement'

He said in a short video posted on Premier League's Twitter page: 'Hi Gareth, massive congratulations on beating my Premier League appearance record. 

'It's a huge feat. I know that you're a professional lad and to play that many games at the top level is a massive achievement. So well done mate, and hopefully, there's many more games to come.' 

Barry was ultimately unable to help his side to a positive result as two Alexandre Lacazette goals helped Arsenal to a comfortable 2-0 victory - the 187th top-flight defeat of his career.

The French striker nodded in the rebound after Alexis Sanchez had hit the crossbar and he then rifled home a penalty to secure the victory.