Guardiola: Arteta bust-up will happen 'sooner or later'

Pep Guardiola accepts he will probably have a touchline bust-up with Mikel Arteta "sooner or later".

The Manchester City manager fears this is inevitable with his friend and former assistant now an increasingly formidable rival.

Yet Guardiola insists any row with the current Arsenal boss, who like him is known for his emotional reactions, would not alter his opinion of someone he continues to hold in high regard.

The two Spaniards meet on Friday when Guardiola's reigning Premier League champions host the competition's current leaders in the FA Cup fourth round.

"Merry Christmas and Happy New Year was the last time (we spoke)," said Guardiola, who hired Arteta as his assistant when he arrived at City in 2016.

"He's a rival, of course he is. He wants to beat me and I want to beat him.

"I know how we both are and in defeat we are not the best friends in the world.

"From my point of view I have a huge respect for him as a person, as a manager. That's not going to change if we're going to fight on the touchline.

"Sooner or later it's going to happen, I guess, but when that is going to happen it's not going to change the respect I have (for him) or anything."

The battle on the touchline adds an intriguing layer to what will be the first of three contests between the two sides in the second half of the season.

Arteta's conduct in the technical area has been the subject of criticism in light of his booking during last week's victory over Manchester United, but Guardiola was keen to defend him in this respect.

Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola said: "When you are top of the league they have to undermine you for another reason, and they are doing that right now. I know quite well this situation.

"Anything can happen on the touchline