Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger takes swipe at Pep Guardiola for announcing Bayern Munich exit six months early

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Arsene Wenger has criticised Pep Guardiola's decision to reveal his Bayern Munich exit prematurely.

The Spaniard confirmed last week that he is leaving Germany at the end of the season.

But Wenger feels his departure could have been handled better. 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger sits down for his press conference on Wednesday morning

Pep Guardiola announced his decision on Sunday to leave Bayern Munich next summer

Wenger (right) and Guardiola shake hands before a match between Arsenal and Barcelona in 2011

Wenger said: 'Personally I don’t like the fact that the managers come out so early for what they will do, because it’s not necessarily good for their own team, nor for the speculation about the managers who are going through a little bit of a difficult patch.'

Wenger did, however, admit his admiration for Guardiola and said he would welcome his arrival in England. 

He said: 'I think he is of course a top-quality manager, nobody would dispute that. Not so much for what he has won already, because Bayern won before, Barcelona still wins today, but I think about the positive attitude he has towards the game and the fact he wants his team to play football in a positive way. I respect that highly.

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil on the ball during Monday night's Premier League victory against Manchester City

'We want this league to be the best league in the world. We want as well to find the right balance. The Premier League wants to be the best in the world but you need 40 to 50 per cent of foreign managers but as well give some chances to local managers, like [Eddie] Howe from Bournemouth who now comes out.

'You do not want to kill that. You do not want the Premier League to become exclusively for foreign managers, even if I am one. It’s important to have the balance right. They bring different ideas but you want as well a local culture.'

Wenger also warned his players that they have won nothing yet after Monday night's victory against title rivals Manchester City

The Frenchman - who has confirmed the club's intention of offering Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez new contracts - has told his stars there is still a long way to go in the title race  

Arsenal players celebrate Oliver Giroud's goal during a big win against their Premier League title rivals

Arsenal's David Ospina (left), Alexis Sanchez (centre) and Mikel Arteta at Monday's match against City

Wenger said: 'We have been top of the league in previous years and I think football is pragmatic.

'Nobody can predict what can happen in the next 17 games for example and you just want to go with the same attitude and spirit. 

'The only thing I can say is 2015, if you look back and try to analyse it, we have been consistent. 

'We have had quite a positive year and stabilised our defensive record and improved our record against the strong teams in the Premier League, so it looks like we are on the right train going the right way.'

Arsenal take on Southampton at St Mary's on Boxing Day and Wenger confirmed that none of his current crop of injured players - including Mikel Arteta and Alexis Sanchez - will return for the match.

Wenger said: 'Nobody will be back for this game. It will approximately be the same players.'