Arsene Wenger vs. Pep Guardiola: Breaking Down the Bayern-Arsenal Dugout Battle

Of the many intriguing individual contests that will take place when Bayern Munich host Arsenal, the one in the dugout may be most fascinating.  

Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola will lock horns, the wily veteran going up against the coach who exemplifies modernity in the game.

In the previous encounter between the two sides, it seemed as if Wenger got the better of the tactical contest. That will have hurt Guardiola, who prides himself on his strategic acumen.

In this piece, we break down the battle between two undoubtedly great coaches.

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Philosophy 

Both men are coaches who impose a footballing philosophy upon their teams. Results are important, of course, but they both seek to foster a culture that transcends the trivialities of the game-to-game existence. They want to create a way of doing things—a style—that pervades every element of the club.

It is instantly possible to identify a Guardiola team, just as it's immediately obvious when you’re watching a Wenger side play.

Although both coaches have clear ideologies, that of Wenger is, arguably, stronger and more individual. Guardiola inherited his philosophy from his Barcelona heritage, whereas the Frenchman had to forge his independently.

Wenger has wrought an entire club in his image over a period of two decade—a feat Guardiola is yet to match.

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Tactics

Although Wenger appeared to best Guardiola in the recent encounter at the Emirates Stadium, hitting Bayern on the break with the pace of Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez, it is still difficult to look past the Catalan in this area.

Guardiola is a relentless innovator. Even his most successful teams have been in a continual process of evolution. Formations are flexible, sometimes even within the space of a single game. 

Wenger is more inclined to stick to one system. For the past decade or so, he has used a variant of 4-3-3, in part inspired by Guardiola’s own set-up at Barcelona.

Silverware

Both coaches have won domestic titles in two European leagues: Wenger in France and England, Guardiola in Spain and Germany.

Wenger’s victories, arguably, represent the greater achievement, having triumphed with Monaco and Arsenal, who are marginally less dominant in their divisions than either Barca or Bayern. 

However, the major difference between the two coaches is the success Guardiola has experienced on the continental stage. Wenger has never lifted a major European trophy, whereas Guardiola has won two Champions Leagues, three UEFA Super Cups and three Club World Cups. What’s more, he has done all this in a shorter period of time. 

Guardiola has defended Wenger’s record, telling Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail:

"

This life is not just about winning trophies.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Arsenal compete with huge teams. Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City—they are important teams. But Arsenal remains a good team and good club.

I have a lot of respect for my colleague Arsene: He always likes the good, good players, the good style of football.

"

However, despite his modesty, it’s clear Guardiola has the upper hand when it comes to comparing the two medal cabinets.

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Temperament

Both men are beloved by the press for being largely erudite, charming personalities. However, they’re also both winners. When something gets under their skin, they bristle.

Wenger is prone to flashes of temper more so than Guardiola, who manages to maintain an eerie sense of calm at almost all times. When the Frenchman is riled, he can be surly and stubborn. 

Guardiola has been irked by the jibes of Mourinho in the past, but for the most part manages to keep his cool. That much was evident in the wake of Bayern’s defeat at Arsenal: In his post-match press conference, the Catalan remained charm personified. 

That’s partly what makes him so appealing to the super-clubs of world football. Guardiola is very adept at alluding the controversy that tends to dog the likes of Mourinho. 

Transfers

A key part of any manager’s skill-set is their ability to identify and recruit talent. When it comes to this area, there are few better than Wenger.

Guardiola is, of course, a skillful team-builder. The way he has reimagined an already successful Bayern side pays testament to that.

 However, Wenger is a master talent-spotter. His eye for a player is unsurpassed. The likes of Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry were reared at Arsenal before going on to shine at Barcelona. What’s more, unlike Guardiola, he has largely worked without the assistance of a sporting director, taking complete control of recruitment at Arsenal. 

Tom Hevezi/Associated Press

Longevity

Guardiola was at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012. It was an exhausting four-year spell that brought plenty of success, but left him feeling drained. 

He has been at Bayern since 2013, and while there is talk of a potential two-year contract extension (h/t the Mirror), it’s possible his reign could come to a close with the expiry of his deal next summer. It seems he prefers to work in short, intense bursts. 

Wenger, by contrast, has been at Arsenal since 1996. Next year will mark two decades since he took the helm in north London. It is a truly incredible achievement.

Guardiola insisted that sort of spell was now impossible to replicate, per Tom Webber of Goal:

"

Twenty years at one club is now impossible. Wenger is not only a coach, he is a sporting director.

He changed the club. They played defensively before he came.

Wenger is more than just a coach for this club—he is almost everything. 

"

He may be right. However, that should not be allowed to detract from the loyalty and longevity that Wenger has shown at Arsenal.

Conclusion

It is difficult to choose between two of the game’s great managers.

While they share certain similarities in terms of playing style and philosophy, they also differ in several key areas. Guardiola is an impact coach, transforming teams in short but successful spells. Wenger’s role is more about stewardship, guiding a club through a continuing process of evolution. 

Given Guardiola’s relatively tender age of 44, it’s possible that his achievements will go on to outstrip those of Wenger.  

However, for now it’s possible to draw the following distinction: Guardiola may be the superior coach, but he’s yet to match Wenger’s accomplishments as a manager.

As the Bayern boss puts it himself, Wenger is “almost everything” for Arsenal. For all his silverware, Guardiola has not, and may not, ever build a club quite so precisely in his own image.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.