Dec 18, 2016 at 4pm UK at ​Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 54,409
Man CityManchester City
2-1
Arsenal
Sane (47'), Sterling (71')
Silva (38'), Toure (51'), de Bruyne (80'), Fernando (95')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Walcott (5')
Elneny (88'), Paulista (94')

Pep Guardiola declares admiration for Arsene Wenger

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on during his side's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on November 19, 2016
© SilverHub
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola declares his respect and admiration for Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger, describing him at "the boss".

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has declared his admiration and respect for Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger.

Guardiola will come up against the Premier League's longest-serving manager for the first time since his move to England when his City side host the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Wenger's reign has been questioned in recent seasons, with the club's wait for a Premier League title having now gone on for 12 years, but Guardiola was full of praise for the Frenchman.

"He's the boss, no? He's the chief for Arsenal! That's why. I'm the commander-in-chief for Manchester City. I saw so many Netflix series and that's why [I called him that]. Commander-in-chief and colonel, I use a lot," he told reporters.

"He has been here a long time. When that happens at a club such as Arsenal, it's because a person is doing a good job.

"I understand it's not easy to win the Premier League, but I have a lot of respect for his career. I've said many times that I admire the way he tries to play and especially the quality of the players they like and they buy. I like a lot."

City would climb up to second in the table - above Liverpool and Arsenal - with a win over the Gunners.

A pensive Arsene Wenger during the Premier League game between Everton and Arsenal on December 13, 2016
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Chelsea17141235112443
2Liverpool17114241202137
3Manchester CityMan City17113336201636
4Arsenal17104338191934
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs1796229121733
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd178632417730
7Southampton176651716124
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom176562321223
9Everton176562121023
10Bournemouth176382328-521
11Stoke CityStoke175661924-521
12Watford176382129-821
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham175481931-1219
14Middlesbrough174671619-318
15Leicester CityLeicester174582329-617
16Burnley1752101628-1217
17Crystal Palace1743102832-415
18Sunderland1742111528-1314
19Swansea CitySwansea1733112037-1712
20Hull City1733111436-2212