The Bayern Munich coach enjoyed a glittering career as a player at Barcelona, winning a host of major honours - but it could have been very different for the Spaniard.
Wenger faces Guardiola tonight looking for a second victory over Bayern in a fortnight to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the Champions League knockout stages.
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And, during his pre-match press conference, Wenger revealed he could have once managed his rival in north London after his spell at the Nou Camp had come to an end.
"He wanted to play with me as a coach," Wenger said.
"He wanted to play for Arsenal. I met him, he was 30-31 back then.
"I can't really remember, after that he went to Italy and I had players like (Patrick) Vieira and (Emmanuel) Petit who were still young and played for the national team as well."
Instead of joining Arsenal and Wenger, Guardiola went on to play for Brescia and Roma before stints with Al-Ahli in Qatar and Mexican outfit Dorados.
He then started out on a coaching career that has seen him claim 19 league and cup titles at Barcelona and Bayern.
"What I admire is that his team are very positive, very attacking," Wenger said of the 44-year-old.
"He has a positive mentality and a positive attitude towards football. That is why he adapted very well to Bayern - he is a great coach."
