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Friday 1 February 2019 23:37, UK
Pep Guardiola has praised the battling qualities of Unai Emery ahead of Manchester City's game against Arsenal at the Etihad.
Emery's Arsenal head to Manchester City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League, looking to inflict a second successive defeat on the champions following their shock midweek loss to Newcastle.
Former Barcelona boss Guardiola knows Emery all-too-well having faced his Valencia side in La Liga on numerous occasions. Although unbeaten in all 11 matches against Emery during his career, Guardiola insists the 47-year-old is a fantastic coach.
"He's an incredibly well-prepared manager," he told Sky Sports. "I've never been with him in his clubs but my impression from outside is that he's a manager who is well prepared.
"He has an incredible work ethic, he's a fighter and he's an incredible, incredible manager."
Emery replaced Arsene Wenger at Arsenal at the beginning of the season and despite having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions, Arsenal currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League spot.
Guardiola insists adapting to life in England is difficult but believes the Arsenal boss has done a decent job so far at the Emirates.
"The results he has had in the Premier League have been quite good," he added. "Of course they lost in the League Cup and the FA Cup, but the Premier League is tough so qualifying for the Champions League is a big success for next season.
"The first season in England and in a new country is not easy but when I watch him from outside it's been quite good."
