Premier League: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is unsure of the severity of the injury that Rodri suffered in his side’s thrilling draw with Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola waiting on extent of Rodri’s injury (AP Photo)
Pep Guardiola has admitted uncertainty over the severity of Rodri’s injury, sustained during Manchester City’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League. The Spanish midfielder, who has already faced setbacks this season with a hamstring injury, endured a tough night against the Gunners. Rodri, 28, initially shook off a facial injury from an early clash with Kai Havertz, but his second confrontation left him clutching his knee in clear distress. Mateo Kovacic replaced him after the incident, leaving City without their midfield anchor for the remainder of the match.
Despite losing Rodri, Manchester City fought hard to salvage a point in the dying moments of the game. Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes had overturned Erling Haaland’s early opener, but John Stones netted 98th-minute equalizer to deny Arsenal the win.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola admitted that he had yet to consult the medical staff regarding Rodri’s injury: “I don’t know yet. I didn’t ask the doctors. He is strong. He leaves the pitch and his action is he felt something otherwise he would stay there,” Guardiola told reporters, before also going on to give Rodri his seal of approval for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
The City manager acknowledged Rodri’s immense value, praising him as the best holding midfielder in the world and a potential Ballon d’Or contender. Guardiola also hinted that Rodri’s absence significantly altered City’s performance, with center-back Ruben Dias often filling the void in midfield.
“He is the best holding midfielder in the world and potentially a Ballon D’Or winner, I would love it [if he won]. These are the type of games, against Arsenal, and it’s like that. We have to handle it and in many things we did it.”
“Dias had many touches in advanced positions, but that’s not the ideal situation,” Guardiola explained. “With Rodri, it might have been different.”
Arsenal, down to 10 men after Leandro Trossard’s red card just before half-time, held on to their 2-1 lead for much of the second half. Guardiola credited the Gunners for their mental strength but also emphasized his team’s efforts to break them down, with Jack Grealish creating space and forcing several saves from Arsenal keeper David Raya.
City will now anxiously await further updates on Rodri’s condition as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, hoping their midfield talisman will not face another extended spell on the sidelines.
Published By:
Saurabh Kumar
Published On:
Sep 23, 2024