Guardiola: Wenger is a special boss
Wembley has been good to Pep Guardiola, having been the venue for two European Cup triumphs as both player and manager.
But the Manchester City boss knows that in recent years the stadium has been Arsene Wenger’s domain.
The Arsenal manager has won on each of his last nine trips to Wembley when it’s been a neutral venue. His only defeat was against Tottenham in a Premier League away game earlier this month.
That record only adds to the general respect that Guardiola has for his rival – though he denies that having similar footballing philosophies has anything to do with it.
“Maybe the other managers don’t believe it, but I respect all of them a lot, not just Arsene,” he says.
“But, of course, he has done an outstanding job in England.
“He’s special. To be there for a long time in the same place is because you are comfortable there and the people are comfortable with you.
“I also think he made a significant impact on English football when he came here.
“And if you are there for a long time like him it’s because you are good. It’s simple like that.
“It’s also because you have passion and you enjoy your job. You believe you can do better with your club and your players. That is the reason for this longevity.
“And when one manager is at a club for a long time, you will have success and do good things.”
Wenger’s Wembley record in the last four years comprises three final and three semi- final wins in FA Cup plus three Community Shield victories.
Guardiola acknowledges that gives him and his players an edge in terms experience before this afternoon’s Carabao Cup clash.
But the Catalan will tell his players that this is no day for nerves.
“I will tell them to be calm but also to play with more courage,” he says.
“I think it’s a game we have to try to enjoy the most. It’s a final and we are here to play these types of game, so why be nervous?
“We should have no regrets after the game. Then it’s too late for, ‘I didn’t do what I should do’, because it’s a final.”