Rodri injury hands Man City huge concern ahead of Premier League run-in
TL;DR
Rodri has sustained a groin injury during Manchester City's 2-1 victory over Arsenal, raising concerns for the team's title race. His injury will be assessed on Sunday or Monday.
Key points
- Rodri limped off in the 88th minute against Arsenal
- He has a groin injury that needs assessment
- Manchester City won the match 2-1
- Rodri has been in great form recently
- Pep Guardiola awaits news on the injury
Mentioned in this story
Rodri has hit his best form in recent weeks but was forced off late on at the Etihad (Reuters)
Rodri has given Manchester City an injury worry for the title race after limping off in their 2-1 win over Arsenal.
The Ballon d’Or winner has a groin problem, which will be examined on Sunday or Monday, as Pep Guardiola waits to discover the extent of the damage.
Rodri, who was replaced by Nico Gonzalez when he went off in the 88th minute, has found his best form of the season in recent weeks as City have recorded four straight wins in all competitions.
They go to Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday and then have an FA Cup semi-final against Southampton on Saturday and could be without Rodri, with Guardiola saying: “The doctors will make tests later or tomorrow.”
The City manager, who had warned the title race would be over if his side lost to league leaders Arsenal, said victory gave his team hope and was pleased they are still alive.
Rayan Cherki opened the scoring for City and, after Kai Havertz levelled following a mistake from Gianluigi Donnarumma, Erling Haaland got a second half-decider.
And Guardiola added: “We have hopes and still extend the chance to fight until the end. We were not in our best, I give a lot of credit to them but we are alive, we are there. Everybody is pushing.”
But Guardiola, whose team remain second but are three points behind with a game in hand on Arsenal, downplayed suggestions they are favourites now.
“Who is top of the league?” he said. “We are not. In goal difference, they are better. Step by step.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he will not be hard to rouse his players from the disappointment of defeat and argued if he cannot motivate them now, he is in the wrong job.
He said: “If I have to pick [up] the players to win the Premier League with five games to go in our hands and [to] be in the final of the Champions League, I think I should be at home. So it's not the case. It's not needed. It's never been needed, even in difficult moments. So we will go again, that's for sure.”
Q&A
What is the nature of Rodri's injury?
Rodri has a groin problem that will be examined to determine the extent of the damage.
When will Rodri's injury be assessed?
Rodri's injury will be examined on Sunday or Monday.
How has Rodri performed recently before his injury?
Rodri has been in excellent form, contributing to Manchester City's four consecutive wins in all competitions.
