Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Arsenal
Pep Guardiola became the first football meme of 2022, as the Manchester City manager wished us all a Happy New Year ahead of City's game with Arsenal.
Guardiola, like many managers, can swing from the nicest guy in the world in television interviews, when things go his way, to a bit of a misery guts when things don't go so smoothly.
On Saturday the City boss was clearly in good cheer, before the Premier League champions took on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The former Barcelona manager, with a fresher head than many in the crowd following New Year's Eve, finished his interview with BT before kick off, disappeared off screen, and then ran back to wish everyone a happy new year.
Guardiola almost certainly had a good New Year's, knowing that his team were starting 2022 already eight points ahead of their closest rivals Chelsea.
The Blues recent poor form, combined with City's continued brilliance, has put the reigning champions well ahead of the title race already.
A win against Arsenal would put them 11 points clear of Thomas Tuchel's team and 12 clear of Liverpool, before Jurgen Klopp's side go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday for their huge game.
City though didn't have it all their own way in the first half against Arsenal, who were missing manager Mikel Arteta on the sidelines, with the Gunners' boss out with Covid.
As well as some decent attacking pressure, the hosts may have had a penalty when Martin Odegaard went down under a challenge from Ederson but the referee and VAR believed the Brazilian goalkeeper got enough of the ball.
