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.

Pep Guardiola has thrown his support behind the prospect of leading players going on strike over the increasingly punishing schedule. Manchester City midfielder Rodri claimed this week that the game’s top stars were close to strike action amid concerns about the congested calendar.

Guardiola’s comments on Friday came ahead of his side’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday and amid a tough stretch of seven games in three weeks for the reigning Premier League champions.