Watch Pep Guardiola jump in front of camera to say ‘Happy New Year’ before Arsenal game and become ‘first meme of 2022’

MANCHESTER CITY manager Pep Guardiola hilariously jumped in front of the camera to wish BT Sport's viewers a 'Happy New Year' ahead of his side's last-gasp win at Arsenal.

The defending Premier League champions travelled to North London looking to extend their lead at the top of the table to 11 points.

2

2

Standing in their way are an in-form Arsenal team who hadn't lost in their last five outings and find themselves inside the top four.

Arsenal even took a first-half lead only to crumble in the second, with Riyad Mahrez scoring a controversial penalty and Rodri grabbing a 93rd-minute winner, with Gabriel sent off for two bookable offences.

Ahead of the highly anticipated fixture Guardiola was giving his assessment, and promptly walked off afterwards.

Guardiola then flew back in front of the camera and wished the viewers a 'Happy New Year'.

One fan said on Twitter: "Very relaxed knowing he's got a banter team to go out and batter."

Another said: "This will be one of the greatest memes in the football world."

Most read in Football

GUNNER BE MISSED

Ben White ruled out for MONTHS in major blow to Arsenal title hopes

D'OR OPEN

Rodri opens door to astonishing Real Madrid move despite Ballon d'Or snub

MAN DOWN

Premier League clubs rebel against Man City and agree new financial rules

TOP BOSS

Southgate's England sidekick Steve Holland ‘to take first ever manager's job'

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

A Norwich fan branded Guardiola's well wishes as the 'first meme of the year'.

Unfortunately for the Spaniard, his old understudy Mikel Arteta won't be on the touchline due to Covid.

Assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg took charge for Saturday's game.

Arteta confirmed: “Albert will be in charge. With the rest of the team, it will depend on who is unavailable because there have been so many [Covid] issues in that department recently.

"Hopefully, everybody will be there to help as much as possible.

“We will be in touch but as well I want to give them the possibility, the responsibility and the freedom to make decisions on the pitch and to express themselves.

“It’s completely different being on that touchline with the players and the action than being at home.

"I’m going to be here to support and help in certain moments but they have to get the momentum of the game and communicate with the players themselves.”

⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blogs