Pep Guardiola sprung to his Arsene Wenger’s defence without being asked, branding the treatment of him by former players and journalists ‘unacceptable’.

The Manchester City manager was speaking after his side had struggled against Huddersfield, playing out a 0-0 draw and facing a replay back at the Etihad. The Daily Mail state Guardiola was asked about whether or not making eight changes to his side had been too many.“My friend, I take my decisions and you analyse them after,” Pep replied.

“I have to take the decision before. The best solution was what I’d done. After, if you don’t agree, then you can write.

“What I’ve heard in the last 10 days about how the people — former players and journalists — treated, for example, Arsene Wenger is unacceptable.

“For me, our job at the moment we don’t have any respect for any position. What happened was unacceptable. We take decisions and you can say whatever you want.”

Last week it was revealed that Guardiola had actually wanted the Arsenal job before he took up his role at Bayern Munich. At that time, when he’d just finished his post-Barcelona sabbatical, Wenger still had another year left to run on his contract.

Guardiola got in touch with Arsenal but the report from the journalist, who seems to be as reliable as they come in this field, stated that the board did not even respond to the Spaniard.

Gives you faith for the months and years ahead when Wenger goes, eh?