Ahead of today’s friendly between Bayern Munich and Arsenal at the Shanghai Stadium, both managers have been holding talks.
Ancelotti tweeted about his meeting with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, with the two sharing a laugh.
It was a pleasure to meet my old friend Arsène Wenger again and share a good chat with him #audifcbtour @FCBayern @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/g7YTFec2Ru
— Carlo Ancelotti (@MrAncelotti) July 19, 2017
Perhaps they were discussing Alexis Sanchez’s future and how Bayern reportedly cannot afford to sign him this summer.
Or maybe Ancelotti was laughing at the latest rumours linking the Gunners, Liverpool and Chelsea to Thomas Muller, let alone the talk of Robert Lewandowski exiting the Allianz Arena.
It’s unknown what will have been said between the two experienced, coaches but their mutual respect for one another is clear. Ancelotti was once a domestic opponent to Wenger when he managed Chelsea between 2009-2011.
But now the pair appear to be good friends and the Italian coach has often defended Wenger in the past when the French manager has been a subject of intense criticism.
While a non-competitive game, both coaches will be using this afternoon’s clash to showcase fitness and performance levels ahead of the new season. They’re likely to leave the game in good spirits as they’ve started it.