WHEN Harry Arter saw Pep Guardiola approaching after the final whistle of Monday’s defeat to Manchester City, he probably expected little more than a pat on the back and a cursory compliment.

What he got was much more heartfelt and touching. It was, in many ways, a moment to rival the enduring image of Cherries boss Eddie Howe embracing an emotional Arter during the closing stages of the victory over Manchester United in December 2015.

A bit of context. Guardiola took the helm at City last summer following glittering, trophy-laden spells at Bayern Munich and Barcelona. The Spaniard had never managed in England before and it is not unthinkable – and this is in no way intended to be disrespectful – that he would not have heard of Arter prior to this season.

That he knew not only of the midfielder and partner Rachel’s tragic loss of stillborn daughter Renee but also that the couple were expecting any day now, and chose to approach and congratulate him showed the class of the man.

Beyond the fact the pair had twice this season occupied the same football stadium, there was no other connection. Guardiola had no reason to do what he did beyond mere kindness.

The act may have surprised some who had prejudged the Spaniard based on a couple of prickly post-match interviews. But this was the real Pep.

Hours earlier, Manchester City had turned up at Vitality Stadium later than intended, around an hour and a quarter before kick-off. And yet Guardiola still took time to meet fans, sign autographs and make someone’s day.

Football can be horribly cynical at times but Guardiola’s conduct – on his first trip to Dean Court – stood out a mile.

We all know the story of how a non-league footballer – who I will not name for fear of giving him further publicity – subjected Arter to the most horrendous abuse on Twitter following Cherries’ draw with Arsenal last month.

It was disgusting and appalling. More importantly, it was upsetting for Arter and his partner, family and friends. That player has now been banned from all football activity until August by the Football Association. Frankly, it was the least he deserved.

That kind of gutter behaviour gives Guardiola’s gesture a new weight.

While the words aimed in Arter’s direction by the non-league footballer were among the worst it’s possible to hear, Guardiola’s sentiments were thoughtful, genuine and warm, all the more so because they would have been thoroughly unexpected.

The Sky cameras picked up the moment but they could easily not have done. Guardiola would probably have preferred it if they had not.

Arter admitted afterwards that it had been “an unbelievable touch” which he had “respected and accepted with a smile on my face”.

For a man who has been through the mill off the pitch and publicly approached the issue with the utmost dignity, it was nice to hear Guardiola’s words had meant something. Stories of decency and kindness do make the headlines, sometimes.

Heading into the press conference, a sea of questions about Jack Wilshere might have been expected. The fact he had been forced off injured – prompting a series of ‘hilarious’ comments on social media – had appeared to set the agenda. But no.

The fact Cherries had also lost their captain, Simon Francis, might also have raised more discussion, particularly in the light of the Dorset club’s recent injury problems. Not much on that either.

After being quizzed on City’s title ambitions, Guardiola spoke not only about Arter – which, bashfully, he did not elaborate on too greatly – but also his admiration for Cherries. This was no charm offensive, this was just him being nice.

But perhaps by that point we had come to expect that of Pep. Not only was a good night for him on the pitch, it was a good night off it as well.