Fans reckon they know what Arsene Wenger was saying to Pep Guardiola prior to kick-off

The pair exchanged words ahead of the game

Darragh Murphy

Fans reckon they know what Arsene Wenger was saying to Pep Guardiola prior to kick-off

It’s been a tough week for Arsene Wenger.

Last Thursday, Wenger oversaw an unexpected Europa League defeat to unfancied Swedish outfit Ostersund at the Emirates.

Three days passed and the Frenchman found himself stood in the Wembley dugout watching one of the worst cup final performances of all time as Arsenal fell to a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup decider.

Since Sunday, Wenger has had to endure some of the most scathing criticism he’s experienced in 22 years as Gunners boss.

Arsenal had the opportunity to claim vengeance this week, when they hosted City in the Premier League and supporters prayed that, at the very least, the North London side would display some fight and passion against the rampaging Citizens.

It was briefly going well for the home side on Thursday as they started proceedings promisingly and appeared significantly more positive.

But the uphill task was made much steeper when, after just 15 minutes, Bernardo Silva curled home a stunning shot to make it seem like the visitors had just carried on from their domination in Sunday’s final.

David Silva doubled City’s advantage on the half-hour mark before Leroy Sane made it 3-0 just moments later.

Supporters had noticed the animated pre-match conversation between Wenger and Pep Guardiola on the Emirates touchline and suggested that the Frenchman had asked for some preemptive mercy.

Well, if that’s what Wenger said to his opposite number, Guardiola clearly didn’t agree to it.