Pep Guardiola has told elite soccer players that they are the only ones who can force change in the face of a growing dispute over the number of games they are being asked to play.

Pep Guardiola welcomes ‘advantage’ of Champions League scheduling - Manchester City take on title rivals Arsenal on Sunday having had an extra day’s rest after the Gunners’ Thursday fixture in Europe.

Into the final year of his contract at Manchester City questions are being asked again about Pep Guardiola’s future.