Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted his admiration for Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.

Guardiola was full of praise for the midfielder ahead of tonight's showdown, recalling when a teenage Odegaard trialled at Bayern Munich.

"I remember perfectly that he came with his father for two or three days of training. I needed five minutes to think: 'This player is playing well'," said Guardiola.

"I think he did a tour all over Europe and trained with any number of clubs. In the end (after a spell at Real Madrid) Arsenal was attractive to him. An exceptional player, to captain Arsenal at his age after such a short time means he must have a special personality, the strength to be a captain.

"Mikel (Arteta) wouldn't make him captain if he didn't have the strength to be captain."