Guardiola: Arsenal 'the most difficult team' Bayern could face

The former Barcelona boss believes die Roten were handed the worst possible draw, while he is also keen to continue the Bavarians' silverware haul with Club World Cup glory

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says Arsenal are the hardest side the Champions League holders could have faced in the last 16.

The two sides were pitted against each in Monday's draw in a re-match of their encounter last season – a game which saw the Gunners become the first side to win at the Allianz Arena in 2013, though they  ultimately exited the tournament.

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Arsene Wenger's charges are currently top of the Premier League table, and Guardiola has praised a side that he believes will pose a stern test to die Roten's hopes of retaining their crown.

"I know Arsene Wenger quite well, I know his players quite well," the Spaniard told reporters. "In the draw, it was the most difficult team."

The Bavarians are currently in Morocco for the Club World Cup, a competition Guardiola has won twice before with Barcelona and is keen to triumph in again.

"This tournament is very important, very prestigious. It’s not easy to qualify for it, nor to win it," he continued ahead of his side's semi-final clash with Guangzhou Evergrande.

"There are only two matches, the semi-final and the final, and simply put, we have to win them.

"You don't have the good fortune to take part in this competition very often in your life as a professional footballer and I'd like to express my gratitude to the team and Juup Heynckes because thanks to them I am here today."