Rodri harm replace as Pep speaks on Man City ‘world’s greatest holding midfielder’
Pep Guardiola has updated fans after Rodri was forced off injured over the weekend.
The Spaniard, 28, was battered and bruised against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. Rodri found himself on the deck within five seconds of the clash when Kai Havertz came bundling into him from kick-off.
However, it would only get worse for the the Ballon d’Or contender after he was involved with tussle alongside Thomas Partey from a Manchester City corner. Rodri appeared to jar his knee on the way down – forcing him off the pitch during the first-half of the clash, which would end 2-2.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola tears into Arsenal’s behaviour and throws shade at Mikel Arteta
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Speaking about his stricken midfielder, Guardiola said: “I don’t know yet, I didn’t ask the doctors. Rodri is strong. He leaves the pitch in this action because he felt something, otherwise Rodri stays there.
“He’s the best holding midfielder in the world, he is a potential Ballon d’Or winner, I would love for him to win. But it happened in the first minutes. These games with Arsenal are like that and we have to handle it. We did it. We did really good things.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal had their backs against the wall after Leandro Trossard was flashed a red card moments before the half-time whistle. The Gunners clung onto their lead as they survived wave after wave of City’s assaults.
However, their defence was eventually breached by John Stones, who poked the ball home in the 97th minute.
There’s no rest for the weary and City, minus Rodri, are set to return to action on Tuesday evening as they host Watford in the Carabao Cup before a trip to under-firing Newcastle beckons over the weekend.
Arsenal, meanwhile, host Bolton on Wednesday evening before Leicester travel to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
