Arsene Wenger revealed that Pep Guardiola visited him at his house during his playing career because he had interest in joining Arsenal.
Arsenal will meet Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday at Wembley.
"I talked 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.
Guardiola retired as a player in 2006 and took over as manager of Barcelona in 2008.
Wenger said: "He's won much more than I did.
"I think he has done much better than I have, and he's knowing very well what to do. He has exceptional teams and he is managing them very well.
"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 the people who have an influence in the game, it's very important they have a positive attitude towards the game."
