Arsene Wenger reveals Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wanted to join Arsenal during playing days

Arsene Wenger has revealed Pep Guardiola wanted to play for Arsenal.

The two bosses will lock horns at Wembley on Sunday in the Carabao Cup final.

The Manchester City chief spent over 10 years at Barcelona and had brief spells in Italy and Qatar before retiring in 2006.

But things could have been very different with Wenger revealing he spoke to Guardiola about a move to north London.

“I spoke to him a few times, and once he came to my house when he was a player because he wanted to play for Arsenal,” Wenger said.

The Gunners chief also hailed Guardiola’s managerial tenure to date with City on course for the Premier League title.

They were knocked out of the FA Cup by Wigan on Monday night but Wenger remains full of admiration.

“I think he has done much better than I have and he knows what to do. He has exceptional teams and he is managing them very well,” Wenger told beIN Sports.

“I think I respect what he does because he has a clear vision of the game, he has a positive attitude, a positive philosophy.

“Even if he doesn’t win I have as much respect as when he wins because I think people have an influence on the game. It’s very important to have a positive attitude towards the game.”