Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that his relationship with his Arsenal counterpart, Mikel Arteta, has changed ever since they parted ways.

Arteta joined Guardiola to be his assistant at City after retiring as a player in 2016.

“It changed because he’s in London and I’m in Manchester, so we don’t see each other quite often."

“He’s busy, I’m busy, but the affection & the respect I have with him will remain forever, he knows that,” Guardiola said after their 3-0 win over Sheffield United in the FA Cup.

Arsenal and City face each other at the Etihad on Wednesday in a top-of-the-table encounter.

The Gunners are five points clear of the Premier League champions, who have two outstanding fixtures.