Huge Man City blow as Rodri forced off in Arsenal clash after freak incident… as De Bruyne misses out injured too
MANCHESTER CITY’S midfield injury crisis deepened as Rodri was forced off against Arsenal after a freak incident.
The Spaniard lined up at the Etihad for Sunday’s Premier League clash between last season’s top two teams.
City were already missing talisman Kevin De Bruyne after he picked up an injury in the midweek draw with Inter Milan.
But they now face an anxious wait over Rodri after he limped off after 20 minutes.
The Spaniard only made his first start of the season against Inter after helping his nation win Euro 2024.
His return was a big boost for City after De Bruyne was ruled out today.
But Rodri was immediately in the wars as he went down several seconds into the game following a collision with Kai Havertz.
His first setback had little effect on City’s game plan as they took a 9th minute lead through Erling Haaland.
Yet around the 20 minute mark, Rodri went down again as City lined up for a corner.
He attempted a run into Arsenal’s box while being dogged by Thomas Partey.
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There was minimal contact between the pair.
But that didn’t stop Rodri from writhing on the ground in agony.
It soon became clear that Rodri was indeed in real distress.
And City medics rushed to his aid as play was halted.
After several minutes of treatment, Pep Guardiola decided to haul Rodri off.
The midfielder needed to be assisted by both medics as he limped off the field.
And Mateo Kovacic came on in Rodri’s place, with City now facing an anxious wait to see if he’s fit for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Watford.
The anchorman’s exit also saw City lose focus on the pitch.
That’s because just minutes later, Riccardo Calafiori smashed in an equaliser with a rocket from outside the box.
Guardiola kicked his chair in fury at the lapse in concentration.
While City players protested that Arsenal’s goal had come from a free-kick that had been taken too quickly.
Things then got worse for the hosts before half-time as Gabriel Magalhaes headed home from a corner to give Arsenal the lead.
But City were given hope as Leandro Trossard was given a second yellow card for kicking the ball away moments before the whistle blew.