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.

Manchester City take on title rivals Arsenal on Sunday having had an extra day’s rest after the Gunners’ Thursday fixture in Europe.

The push for a more favourable match schedule must come from the players, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday, three days after his midfielder Rodri warned that players could be close to strike action over their increased workload.