Alex Arthur hailed Ken Buchanan as a trailblazer for Scottish boxers as hundreds of mourners turned out in Edinburgh to bid farewell to the late former world champion.

The funeral procession began in Leith and meandered its way past the former site of Sparta Boxing Club and the Ken Buchanan Statue on its way to St Giles’ Cathedral, where a memorial service was held for the 1971 undisputed world lightweight champion who died earlier this month aged 77.

As well as Edinburgh-born world super featherweight champion Arthur, Tommy Gilmour, Jim Watt, John H Stracey, Barry McGuigan and commentator Steve Bunce were among the boxing personalities who turned out on a bright but cold day in Scotland’s capital to pay their respects to Buchanan.

World super-lightweight champion Josh Taylor – another Edinburgh fighter inspired by Buchanan – was unable to be in attendance as he is preparing for his title fight against Teofimo Lopez in New York in June.

“He’s not just a legend in boxing, but also in public, the fact he has a statue says everything,” 44-year-old Arthur told the PA news agency after leaving the service.

“You could see the turnout he got, the number of people that came to witness this and see him off as the legend he was. He did things that might not be done again in boxing and in sport.

“There’s a perception that once boxers are finished, nobody wants to know them any more but everybody still wanted to be part of Ken’s life, and I think that shows what kind of character he was.

“He was a massive inspiration to us all (Scottish boxers). The young ones have got a word nowadays – the OG, the original gangster – and Ken is the OG, he was the first one that did it. It was him, then it was me, now it’s Josh Taylor and hopefully there’s going to be more to come.”

Former featherweight champion of the world McGuigan told how some sparring sessions with Buchanan, who had just retired, early on in his own career helped set him on his way in the sport.

“I’ll never forget it, I got hit that often I thought I was surrounded,” said the 62-year-old. “He was fabulous. It was the best education I ever had. Those rounds were invaluable and set me on course to go on and win a world title.

“We became lifelong friends. He was such an inimitable character. He had a uniqueness about him. He’s one of the greatest fighters the UK has ever had and certainly one of the best Scotland has ever had.

“He was an exceptional talent. He was so brave in everything he did. One of the most unique guys I ever met. He’ll never be forgotten.

“I think the speeches (in the service) alluded to the fact he maybe didn’t get the respect he deserved in Scotland initially but they did embrace him in the end and that’s all that matters. When they talk about Scottish boxing, they talk about Kenny Buchanan.”

Speeches of around five minutes each were read by Bunce, journalist and friend Jim Black, and former world lightweight champion Watt. The audio of the service was played outside the cathedral via speakers for the benefit of additional mourners and dozens of curious tourists.

Bunce concluded his address by revealing details of a meeting with 32-year-old Taylor the previous day.

“Yesterday I went to see Josh Taylor and he sends his apologies to every single person in this room,” said the broadcaster. “He adored Ken. If you ever saw the two of them together, it was like a child looking at their favourite puppy.

“Josh would look at Ken and melt, whatever he was doing, whether it was eating soup or talking about boxing. Josh would just sit silently by his side.

“Josh can’t be here because he’s training for a fight in New York, at the Garden, a place Ken came to dominate and be loved in.

“Josh can’t be here and Ken can’t be there (at the fight) but Josh told me he’s going to wear a patch of Ken’s tartan on his shorts when he he fights at the Garden on June 10. That will do for me, Josh Taylor.”

A fine day in Edinburgh for Ken Buchanan’s funeral. pic.twitter.com/73DbkYENGz

— Steve Bunce (@bigdaddybunce) April 25, 2023

Journalist Black paid tribute to his friend for remaining true to his working-class roots.

“Life may not have always been easy or kind to Ken but we remember him today as a fine human being, a loyal friend, a good man who was never too proud to return to his trade as a carpenter when his fighting days were over,” he said.

“Ken would be the first to tell you he was far from perfect – none of us are – but he was a true man of the people who was happiest in the company of his own kind.

“Generations to come will study the career and achievements of Kenneth Buchanan MBE and realise what a truly great champion he was.”

Watt, three years younger than Buchanan, told those in attendance how they went from being “bitter rivals” to “best of pals” as they got to know each other following their gruelling 15-round showdown which the elder of the two boxers won by a decision in 1973.

“He was full of fun,” said Watt, who also went on to become a world champion. “He didn’t enjoy anything more than taking the mickey out of people. I’m proud to be able to stand here and say I shared the ring with Kenny Buchanan and that I was Kenny Buchanan’s friend.”

Roberto De Zerbi believes Brighton’s trip to Nottingham Forest is their most important match of the season.

Albion travel to the City Ground bidding to resume their push for Europe following an agonising FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United.

Wednesday evening’s clash with relegation-threatened Forest marks the start of nine Premier League games in just under five weeks for the eighth-placed Seagulls.

De Zerbi is determined to make history by bringing continental football to Sussex and help ease the pain of Sunday’s penalty shoot-out loss at Wembley.

“We are still disappointed for the result,” the Brighton boss said of the 7-6 spot-kick defeat.

“We played a fantastic game. We gave our best and we lost the game.

“We have to be stronger, we have to play tomorrow with the same passion, with the same attitude, with the same quality because we have another nine games, very important for us.

“We can change the history of the club, we can change the history of ourselves and we have a big, big, big motivation to achieve it.

“To accept better the last result, we have a big opportunity to achieve the target in the Premier League.

“I think tomorrow is the most important game in our season. We have to restart in our way, in our style. And winning tomorrow for us is a great result.”

De Zerbi is hopeful Danny Welbeck will be involved after he went off injured against United, while he revealed 18-year-old Argentinian midfielder Facundo Buonanotte will make his full debut.

Evan Ferguson will once again be assessed after missing the trip to Wembley with an ankle issue sustained in the 2-1 win at Chelsea the previous weekend.

De Zerbi is unwilling to take risks with the striker, who is poised to sign a new, long-term contract at the Amex Stadium.

The Republic of Ireland international is already tied to Albion until 2026, having signed his first professional deal on his 18th birthday in October.

The terms of the extension are understood to reward Ferguson’s recent progress and De Zerbi believes Brighton is the best place for the teenager to develop amid reported interest from rival Premier League clubs.

“It’s very important news,” the coach said of the contract. “He can improve a lot with us.

“In Brighton, there are the right conditions for the young players and he’s still 18. We have to not forget that.

“He’s playing very well. With the Man United (game), it was bad for us without him because he has different qualities, he can give us different solutions in the last 20, 30 metres.

“I don’t want to take any risks with him. We have another nine games and maybe he can be important for the last eight, if there is some risk (against Forest).”

Winger Solly March is expected to retain his starting place after missing the decisive penalty at the national stadium.

“Today we restarted training and the feeling is good for the players,” said De Zerbi.

“For Solly, it can happen. In the penalty, you can score and you can make some mistake and there isn’t a problem.

“He has to be proud. We love him, we support him, especially when we lose and when we make some mistakes. Strong people are when you lose and you restart stronger.”

Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City’s crucial top-of-the-table showdown with Arsenal on Wednesday is not a title-decider.

City have the chance to take firm control of the race for the Premier League as they host the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal have a five-point lead at the summit but champions City have two games in hand and victory would see the initiative switch firmly their way.

Momentum already appears to be with City, who have won their last six games while the Gunners have been held to three successive draws.

“It is really important, but not decisive because there are still many tough games for both sides,” Guardiola said at a press conference.

“We have more tough games to play but we cannot deny how important it is.”

City were inconsistent during the first half of the season while Arsenal accumulated a club-record 50 points in their first 19 games.

Guardiola claims he could not have imagined at that stage that his side would end the season going head to head with Mikel Arteta’s team.

He said: “It’s really good to be here. After the first round of the Premier League Arsenal did, it was difficult to think we would be here in that moment.

“It is a really, really important game because we could get points and our biggest opponent this season cannot.

“Our focus is on what we have to do. We’ve played two times this season, in the FA Cup and there, and they were really, really tight games and really, really difficult.”

Guardiola has been impressed by the development of Arsenal under his friend and former assistant Arteta.

Arteta left his role on Guardiola’s coaching team to take over at the Emirates Stadium in 2019.

Guardiola said: “I was watching Arsenal with Arsene Wenger and they always had incredible details and care for the ball, and all the players they selected to play had the biggest quality, biggest skills.

“But I think Mikel has brought them another dimension. They are huge competitors in all senses, so aggressive. In the two games we played this season we felt it. It will be very difficult.”

Arsenal finished fifth last season and have been improved greatly by the addition of two former City players in Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.

Yet even though they have strengthened a rival, Guardiola insists there are no regrets over the decision to let the pair go.

He said: “The club made the decision they believed they had to take. When this kind of stuff happens it is because the three parties agree. It is not about just one part.

“The players are agreed, the club want to sell, the club want to buy. They agreed and the club took a decision.

“Before you ask the question, ‘Is it a risk?’ – they are happy, we are happy. We don’t have any complaints about Gabriel and Oleks, who they are and what they have done for this club in the last years.”

Frank Lampard urged Chelsea's players to show "personal pride" and finish the season strongly as the club target Mauricio Pochettino to become their new head coach.

Injuries are set to keep Reece James and Mason Mount out of action for the rest of the season, Lampard revealed on Tuesday.

The loss of the England internationals comes as the latest blow in a wretched season for the club that has seen two head coaches, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, lose their jobs.

Interim boss Lampard could also be replaced before the campaign ends, having overseen four defeats in four games since the club legend was asked to lead the team.

With Pochettino a firm contender to take charge, there may be a new man at the helm in the coming days or weeks.

What seems nigh-on certain is that Lampard will lead Chelsea in Wednesday's home game against fellow west London outfit Brentford.

The Bees are remarkably five points ahead of the wealthy Blues ahead of that fixture, and Lampard wants to see battling spirit from his 11th-placed side.

He broke the dismal news of the fresh injury setbacks at the beginning of Tuesday's pre-match press conference, saying: "Reece James is unavailable probably for the season, Mason Mount the same – potential for the last game of the season but probably not – so that's obviously disappointing for us.

"They're big players. Reece has a hamstring injury and Mason has been carrying this pelvic injury for quite a while. He's been trying typically, and medical staff have been trying, but we've got to the stage now where he will have minor surgery and then a four-week recovery."

Asked about the potential arrival of former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino, Lampard said: "I'm not going to get involved in any future manager talk, because it's all speculation."

Lampard is unsure whether his short-term position will soon be affected by the club's efforts to appoint a coach, or whether he will continue to lead the team until the end of the season.

"I wouldn't expect anything in football, but I think it's very clear we've come into this club when it's in big difficulties," Lampard said.

He vowed he and his coaching staff would continue to try to draw the best from the expensively assembled Chelsea squad and called on the players to raise their games.

Two Champions League losses to Real Madrid and Premier League defeats to Wolves and Brighton have made it a disappointing start for Lampard.

"I have a big link to this club and pride, and so should the players," Lampard said, when asked whether Chelsea's season was effectively over.

"If you want to take it down your route, it's over, but on my route it's absolutely not over.

"I don't have a mentality that there's nothing to play for. I was fortunate to be a part of teams that were challenging normally for stuff towards the end of the season, but that's not a given. It's important that if you have a long career you won't compete absolutely every season, it's not a given.

"It comes down to your personal pride, responsibility, wearing the shirt. We've got seven games, four against the top four, three away from home.

"The run-in's really tough, there's no doubt about that. There's always something on those games. I understand that and the players have to understand that."

Brentford boss Thomas Frank predicts the turning point for “clear favourites” Chelsea’s latent form could happen in the blink of an eye.

Wednesday’s mid-table clash at Stamford Bridge will see the 10th-placed Bees go in search of their first win in seven attempts while Frank Lampard’s side, one place and five points below their west London rivals, are five Premier League matches without a victory.

While the Blues have far from lived up to expectations since their January transfer window splurge, Frank feels like a reversal of fortune under latest man-in-charge Lampard is looming.

“I think we all know that Chelsea have been struggling a little bit this season,” said Frank.

“Very good players. I know they haven’t won, but I think clearly in the four games (Lampard) has been in charge they are playing with bigger energy, more intensity on the eye and also on the numbers.

“It’s top players, and at the end of the day they bought players for £600million in the past two transfer windows and they haven’t forgotten how to play football.

“Sometimes it takes one moment. Now they had a good week to work with them at Stamford Bridge. They are clear favourites of course. They should be. But we hope and believe that we can do something.”

Frank will once again be without the services of defensive midfielder Christian Norgaard, who remains sidelined with an Achilles injury with no clear timeline for a return.

The Bees boss also confirmed defender Kristoffer Ajer was back in full training with the team but added he will not be fit in time for Wednesday’s meeting, though there was better news about winger Kevin Schade, who suffered fatigue and cramp in Brentford’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last time out but will be available on Wednesday.

Frank’s side will hope to recreate some of the magic that saw them cruise to a 4-1 victory at Stamford Bridge last year, though the boss was less fussed when asked if he would be particularly satisfied to finish ahead of local rivals Chelsea and Fulham at the end of the campaign.

He added: “Of course last year was a special night in Brentford history. Fantastic. It’s a game I will always remember. We hope that we can go and perform again tomorrow and we hope that we can win.

“I know there’s this local rivalry against the two clubs so with that in mind of course it would be nice, but I don’t have any specific clubs I want to end above. I just want to end as high as possible, and if you end as high as possible there will be a few below you.

“Do we want to end higher than both clubs? Yes. But also we want to end higher than Villa, Brighton, as high as possible.”

Reece James will miss the rest of Chelsea’s season after picking up a hamstring injury during last week’s defeat by Real Madrid, Frank Lampard has confirmed.

James completed the game at Stamford Bridge against the European champions but a scan revealed the extent of the problem, meaning he will play no further part in the club’s hugely disappointing campaign.

The form of the England defender has been one of the few positives in Chelsea’s season, with his performances either at right-back as part of a back four or at wing-back ahead of a three having regularly been excellent when available.

Yet struggles with fitness have limited him to 16 starts in the Premier League, and he has not been able to put together a run of games since missing the World Cup with England last year.

Lampard confirmed that Mason Mount, who continues to be linked with a move away from the club, is also unlikely to play again before the season’s final game.

The midfielder is set to have surgery on a long-term pelvic problem, and with uncertainty over a new contract the England man could have played his last game for the club.

Building towards Brentford. ? pic.twitter.com/Lh2f97d3GP

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 24, 2023

“It’s a blow for all of us because they’re big players,” said Lampard. “Reece has a hamstring injury he picked up in the Madrid game, he got through the game but we scanned it in the following days.

“Mason has been carrying this pelvic injury for quite a while, it definitely predates myself. Medical staff have been trying, but we’ve got to a stage where he will have minor surgery.

“It’ll probably be a four-week recovery and we all know where that gets us to.”

Lampard declined to comment on the club’s on-going search for a permanent manager.

The PA news agency understands talks are at an advanced stage with Mauricio Pochettino, though an offer is yet to be made to the former Tottenham boss.

It is understood that the club are still considering other options should an agreement fail to be reached, including Burnley boss Vincent Kompany, but that Pochettino is now the preferred candidate.

Lampard, who was appointed interim coach after Graham Potter was sacked on April 2, is under contract until the end of the season, and despite the team having little left to play for following their elimination from the Champions League, he considers the campaign far from over.

Chelsea are 11th, and barring a dramatic upswing in form during the final seven league games are unlikely to be involved in the race to qualify for the Europa League or Conference League.

The face Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

“For me it doesn’t (feel like the season is over),” said Lampard. “I’m manager of Chelsea, I have a big link to this club and pride and so should the players. It’s absolutely not over.

“I don’t have a mentality that there’s nothing to play for. I was fortunate enough to be part of teams that were challenging for stuff towards the end of the season, but it’s not a given. We’ve been fortunate at Chelsea to have had it for 15 to 20 years. A lot of clubs with big status in the Premier league don’t do that.

“It’s important (to realise) that when you have a long career you won’t compete every season, it’s not a given. It comes down to your personal pride and responsibility, wearing the shirt.

“We’ve got seven games, four against the top four [three] away from home. The run-in is really tough, there’s no doubt about that. My interest is in how the players react to that because they’re tough games. There’s always something on those games. I understand that and the players have to understand that.

“I’m not going to get involved in any future manager talk, because it’s all speculation. Simple as that.”

David Moyes has not set West Ham a points target to secure their Premier League survival.

The Hammers remain in the relegation battle, although their recent upturn in results has lifted them six points clear of the bottom three with a game in hand on the teams around them.

“I don’t think it’s fair to say what we need to stay up, but we need to get more points still,” said West Ham boss Moyes.

“If we get more, it means the teams below us need to get more as well.

“Other results do matter at this time of the season, but you have to look after your own business more importantly.”

West Ham host Liverpool on Wednesday night on the back of a profitable week which saw them come from behind to draw 2-2 with Arsenal, reach the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League and thump Bournemouth 4-0.

“We came from 2-0 down against Arsenal and it’s given us a lot of confidence,” added Moyes.

“We had a very good win at the weekend but now we have another incredibly difficult opponent who have been up there with the top teams in the world in recent times, not just the Premier League.”

Moyes turned 60 on Tuesday and is the second-oldest manager in the Premier League, albeit still 15 years younger than Roy Hodgson who recently returned to Crystal Palace.

“I’m thrilled that Roy is back, for all those reasons,” he said.

“It didn’t seem right being the oldest manager in the Premier League, but that’s what longevity does to you. Roy has shown that hopefully there’s plenty more years to go.”

Gianluca Scamacca is West Ham’s only injury absentee. The Italian striker has undergone knee surgery and is unlikely to figure again this season.

Tottenham’s players have issued a public apology for the 6-1 defeat at Newcastle and offered to reimburse fans with the cost of their match tickets.

Spurs were humiliated on Sunday afternoon, falling 5-0 behind in a nightmare opening 21 minutes on Tyneside.

Acting head coach Cristian Stellini was sacked on Monday after less than a month in charge, with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy labelling the lacklustre defeat as “wholly unacceptable”.

Former midfielder Ryan Mason will take charge of the first team for a second spell, having overseen the squad following the departure of Jose Mourinho in April 2021 until the end of that campaign.

Spurs currently sit fifth in the Premier League, six points behind Manchester United, who have two games in hand, ahead of Thursday night’s meeting between the two sides in north London.

Captain Hugo Lloris had already apologised to fans for the “embarrassing” defeat at St James’ Park in his post-match interview, acknowledging the team showed a “lack of pride”.

On Tuesday afternoon, the players issued a collective statement accepting the performance was unacceptable and offering the gesture to help cover the cost of the tickets to the game.

“As a squad, we understand your frustration, your anger. It wasn’t good enough,” the Spurs players said in a post on the club’s official Twitter feed.

The players have a message for our fans who went to Newcastle on Sunday… pic.twitter.com/HFfmo8R2iH

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 25, 2023

“We know words aren’t enough in situations like this, but believe us, a defeat like this hurts.

“We appreciate your support, home and away, and with this in mind we would like to reimburse fans with the cost of their match tickets from St James’ Park.

“We know this does not change what happened on Sunday and we will give everything to put things right against Manchester United on Thursday evening when, again, your support will mean everything to us.

“Together – and only together – can we move things forward.”

We pushed for a response from @spursofficial. It's right that the Chairman has accepted responsibility and taken action after the awful events of yesterday. Fans still deserve a refund and we'll continue to press for that. 1/2 https://t.co/QRmrcxcspy

— THST (@THSTOfficial) April 24, 2023

Following Sunday’s defeat, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust called for decisive action to “give us all some hope and something to get behind at the end of a truly awful season”.

After the announcement dismissing Stellini, who was also part of Antonio Conte’s backroom staff, the THST had suggested fans “still deserve a refund” for Sunday’s shambolic display.

“All supporters will now want to get behind Ryan in his attempt to rescue our season,” the THST added.

Spurs later revealed more details on the club’s new ‘Fan Advisory Board’, which will aim to represent supporter engagement and representation both at home and abroad.

There will be a new forum for elected members from different sections of Tottenham’s diverse fanbase to ensure supporters are “kept informed and their views considered during club decision-making”.

Tottenham’s executive director Donna-Maria Cullen, the nominated board official for fan engagement, said on the club website: “It (FAB) represents a strong and structured forum for fan engagement and more extensive communication with supporters.”

The TST welcomed the development as a “major step forward for fan engagement at the club” which will created a binding obligation to consult with supporters’ representatives on key issues, something which the organisation has long campaigned for.

“Fans are a crucial part of the club’s overall success and it’s vital they have a voice at the top table,” the THST said in a statement.

“We are now consulting our members on the FAB proposals with a recommendation that we take up the two allocated seats.”

Tottenham's players have offered to refund fans who made the trip to St James' Park to see their side lose 6-1 to Newcastle United on Sunday.

Spurs' hopes of qualifying for the Champions League took a blow as they were swept aside by top-four rivals Newcastle.

Newcastle were 5-0 up after just 21 minutes, the second-earliest a side has done so in Premier League history, after Manchester City against Watford in September 2019.

The fallout to the defeat saw acting head coach Cristian Stellini dismissed on Monday, with Ryan Mason appointed until the end of the season.

On Tuesday, Spurs released a statement from the squad, with the players electing to reimburse their away supporters.

"As a squad, we understand your frustration, your anger. It wasn't good enough," the statement read.

"We know words aren't enough in situations like this but, believe us, a defeat like this hurts. We appreciate your support, home and away, and with this in mind we would like to reimburse fans with the cost of their match tickets from St James' Park.

"We know this does not change what happened on Sunday and we will give everything to put things right against Manchester United on Thursday when, again, your support will mean everything to us. Together – and only together – can we move things forward."

Spurs are six points behind fourth-placed United ahead of Thursday's game, having played two matches more.

Tottenham’s players have issued a public apology for the 6-1 defeat at Newcastle and offered to reimburse fans with the cost of their match tickets.

Spurs were humiliated on Sunday afternoon, falling 5-0 behind in a nightmare opening 21 minutes on Tyneside.

Acting head coach Cristian Stellini was sacked on Monday after less than a month in charge, with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy labelling the lacklustre defeat as “wholly unacceptable”.

Former midfielder Ryan Mason will take charge of the first team for a second spell, having overseen the squad following the departure of Jose Mourinho in April 2021 until the end of that campaign.

Spurs currently sit fifth in the Premier League, six points behind Manchester United, who have two games in hand, ahead of Thursday night’s meeting between the two sides in north London.

Captain Hugo Lloris had already apologised to fans for the “embarrassing” defeat at St James’ Park in his post-match interview, acknowledging the team showed a “lack of pride”.

On Tuesday afternoon, the players issued a collective statement accepting the performance was unacceptable and offering the gesture to help cover the cost of the tickets to the game.

“As a squad, we understand your frustration, your anger. It wasn’t good enough,” the Spurs players said in a post on the club’s official Twitter feed.

The players have a message for our fans who went to Newcastle on Sunday… pic.twitter.com/HFfmo8R2iH

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 25, 2023

“We know words aren’t enough in situations like this, but believe us, a defeat like this hurts.

“We appreciate your support, home and away, and with this in mind we would like to reimburse fans with the cost of their match tickets from St James’ Park.

“We know this does not change what happened on Sunday and we will give everything to put things right against Manchester United on Thursday evening when, again, your support will mean everything to us.

“Together – and only together – can we move things forward.”

We pushed for a response from @spursofficial. It's right that the Chairman has accepted responsibility and taken action after the awful events of yesterday. Fans still deserve a refund and we'll continue to press for that. 1/2 https://t.co/QRmrcxcspy

— THST (@THSTOfficial) April 24, 2023

Following Sunday’s defeat, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust called for decisive action to “give us all some hope and something to get behind at the end of a truly awful season”.

After the announcement dismissing Stellini, who was also part of Antonio Conte’s backroom staff, the THST had suggested fans “still deserve a refund” for Sunday’s shambolic display.

“All supporters will now want to get behind Ryan in his attempt to rescue our season,” the THST added.

Pep Guardiola does not believe Wednesday's clash with Arsenal will decide the outcome of the Premier League title race but wants Manchester City to take destiny into their own hands.

City, who have booked their place in the last four of the Champions League and the FA Cup final, will move within two points of Arsenal, with two games in hand, should they beat the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal have drawn their last three league games, while City have won 11 of their previous 12 outings across all competitions.

Asked if there was a reason behind City's menacing form, Guardiola told reporters: "When, early in the season, we lost games, people said it was physicality, that it was not good – that is, bulls***.

"Many things are involved in a game. We know now if we lose games, the situation will be over, so that's why when you are in October, November, you cannot have that feeling, especially after back-to-back championships.

"In the year when we won our first title [2017-18], when we got 100 points, we started the season like every game is a final.

"When we started this season after back-to-back Premier League titles, we did not have that feeling, every game was not a final. Now it is.

"Now we have arrived with the chance in our heads. If Arsenal win, the destiny is in their hands, but if we win, the destiny is in our hands."

On whether Wednesday's encounter was the decisive game in the title race, Guardiola said: "It's really important. Not decisive because still many tough games for both sides but we cannot deny how important it is.

"When you play these kind of teams, it is about everything. Arsenal have always had incredible details and care on the ball, all the players they select to play for the club have the biggest quality, biggest skills.

"Mikel [Arteta] has brought another dimension, they are big competitors, so aggressive. They control a lot of aspects. This isn't anything new. In the two games we've played this season, we felt it, and you have to challenge them or with the speed, intensity they have and quality they have in the build-up, it's difficult."

Arteta said his team will need to be "perfect" to beat City, though Guardiola does not see perfection as being attainable.

"Perfection doesn't exist in football, you cannot be perfect in the game," he said. "We know what happened against Bayern Munich and in the future against top teams, your standard has to be really high.

"They demand to be really good, so we have to do what we can to impose our game."

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claims he could not have expected to be in a title battle with Arsenal after the two clubs made such different starts to the season.

City host the Premier League leaders in a crucial clash on Wednesday which could determine the destiny of the title.

Champions City have clawed their way back into the race after an inconsistent first half of the season while the Gunners have faltered in recent weeks.

An important game ?⏰#ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/LnTBULGtjV

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 25, 2023

Arsenal head to the Etihad Stadium with a five-point lead at the top but City have two games in hand and victory for Guardiola’s side would see the initiative switch firmly to them.

Guardiola said at a press conference: “It’s good to be here. After the first round (of fixtures) Arsenal did it was was difficult to think we would be here in that moment.

“So it is a really, really important game. We could get points our opponents cannot, so our focus is on what we have to do.”

Regardless of the outcome, however, Guardiola insists the matter would not be settled.

He said: “It is really important but not decisive because there are too many tough games for both sides.

“We have more tough games to play but cannot deny how important it is.”

Arsenal’s strong challenge this season has been partly fuelled by the two former City players in Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus that they signed last summer.

Guardiola insists City have no regrets over the decision to let the pair leave.

He said: “Everyone agreed. The players wanted to leave, the club wanted to sell and the club wanted to buy. They were happy and we’re happy. We have no regrets.”

Wimbledon will offer substantial financial support to Ukrainian players and causes this summer after reversing the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.

At the spring press conference to announce plans for this summer’s tournament, organisers revealed that £1 for every ticket holder – expected to be more than £500,000 in total – will be donated to Ukrainian relief.

Meanwhile, the All England Club and the Lawn Tennis Association will provide two hotel rooms per Ukrainian player free of charge and training facilities for the duration of the summer grass-court season as well as funding a day at the tournament for 1,000 Ukrainian refugees.

Tournament schedule updates ?Environmental enhancements ?Plans for the future ?

Read the latest #Wimbledon announcements in full, regarding The Championships 2023 and beyond ⬇️

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) April 25, 2023

Wimbledon and the LTA announced at the end of last month that the controversial ban on Russian and Belarusian players would not continue after they were left out in the cold by the rest of the sport and punished by the WTA and ATP, with hefty fines and the removal of ranking points.

Chairman Ian Hewitt said: “This was an incredibly difficult decision. I personally say that I found this probably the most difficult decision during my chairmanship.”

In order to compete this summer, players from the two countries must sign declarations that they will not demonstrate any backing for the war in Ukraine or either regime, or receive financial support from the Russian or Belarusian state or companies linked to them.

Several players have already signed the declarations and it remains to be seen whether the stipulations will deter any Russian or Belarusian competitors from entering.

We are pleased to partner with the AELTC to donate one pound for each ticketholder at @Wimbledon to Ukrainian relief ??

Read more about this and our support of Ukrainian players this summer ?

— LTA (@the_LTA) April 25, 2023

Chief executive Sally Bolton said: “We listened very much to the feedback from last year. And that feedback from the (Russian and Belarusian) athletes was that they wanted the choice to be able to sign the declaration.

“We’ve spent a significant amount of time engaging with those players to ensure that they fully understand what they’re signing up to. And, at this point, we have a number of players who are in the process of signing them or have signed.”

Bolton was also asked about the prospect of environmental protestors seeking to disrupt the tournament, as happened last week at the World Snooker Championship.

“There have been some incidents recently that will inform the planning that we will undertake,” she said. “The picture is still emerging and our plans are evolving as time goes on.

“What I would urge anybody attending the Championships to do is to be considerate of those that are also attending the Championships.”

While developments at Wimbledon for players, fans and media have been progressing, there is still no forward movement on the club’s plans to expand into neighbouring Wimbledon Park.

Plans were submitted in July 2021 but have not yet gone before Merton and Wandsworth councils for approval amid considerable local opposition.

Wimbledon had initially hoped to bring the qualifying competition on site – one of the major aims of the expansion – as early as 2025 but organisers now admit that will not happen before the end of the decade at best and could be the early 2030s, providing approval is eventually secured.

Hewitt said: “We really look forward to our application being heard as soon as possible but we do recognise this is an important, complex and long-term project. We are patient and we fully understand that it will be approached carefully and thoroughly from all angles.”

On opposition from neighbours, he added: “I recognise there will be objections but we are proud of the public benefits that our proposals offer and I’m really disappointed that objectors are advocating a course that would deny residents and future generations these substantial benefits.”

Organisers are planning to celebrate the career of Roger Federer, although it is not yet clear whether he will attend the tournament, as well as the 50th anniversary of the WTA, with Billie Jean King a special guest.

Coaching from the stands will be allowed for the first time as part of a year-long trial across the sport while players will be able to fill up water bottles on court in a bid to cut plastic waste.

It was confirmed, meanwhile, that Denise Parnell will take over from the retiring Gerry Armstrong as tournament referee for next summer’s event.

With Debbie Jevans succeeding Hewitt as chair following the championships this summer, it means three of the most senior positions will all be held by women for the first time.