Pep Guardiola has told elite soccer players they are the only ones who can force change in a growing dispute over the number of games they are being asked to play. Manchester City midfielder Rodri says players are close to going on strike because of an increasingly congested schedule that will be added to next year by an expanded Club World Cup in the United States.

Pep Guardiola has thrown his support behind the prospect of leading players going on strike over the increasingly punishing schedule.

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

It was anticipated that the Belgian would miss the clash with Arsenal, but Pep Guardiola has now claimed that this may not be the case. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola revealed that De Bruyne could still be available against Arsenal despite his injury.