Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Pep Guardiola agrees with Arsene Wenger that qualifying for the Champions League is like winning a trophy.

Guardiola's Manchester City face Wenger's Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday with the Gunners’ boss coming under increasing pressure to bring his 21-year reign to an end.

And Blues counterpart Guardiola said: “Qualifying for the Champions League is definitely like winning a trophy.

“I’m not saying that I would prefer it to the FA Cup [City and Arsenal meet again in that competition's semi-finals in three weeks' time] but it’s like winning titles, definitely, because there are so many strong teams.”

(Image: Getty)

Arsenal will kick off in sixth place, two places below and seven points adrift of City with a match in hand.

And Guardiola admitted he doesn’t know whether his summer transfer plans will be hit if his men fail to finish in the Champions League spots.

The Catalan will undertake a huge rebuilding job at the end of his debut season in Manchester, and he said: “We will try to be there but all six teams desire that, so two teams will be out – and even Everton can be involved in that.

“And the fact is, I don’t know (about transfers).

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

"I think if you are able to attract players, it’s not just about salaries. It’s about where they want to play.

“So I cannot answer at the moment. Maybe next summer, if we are not in the Champions League, ask me the same question.

“If we tried to buy a player and they did not come, then I will have the answer. But at the moment, I don’t.”