Rodri’s injury during Manchester City’s match against Arsenal has raised concerns, as the midfielder may be sidelined for an extended period. The incident occurred after a series of physical challenges, beginning early in the match when Rodri was involved in a collision with Arsenal’s Kai Havertz.
Within just two seconds of play, Havertz’s shoulder hit Rodri, leaving him momentarily unconscious for around two minutes. Despite this, Rodri continued to play on, only for things to take a turn for the worse later in the game.
City fans were also left frustrated when Rodri appeared to be fouled during a corner, with supporters calling for a penalty. The incident occurred shortly after Erling Haaland had put City in the lead. Despite these setbacks, the more significant moment came when Rodri suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
As he planted his studs firmly into the ground, Rodri seemed to jar his knee, immediately collapsing in visible agony. The pain was so severe that he was unable to continue and needed medical attention on the pitch.
After receiving treatment, Rodri was able to shuffle off the field, but his condition clearly indicated that he could not continue the match. Mateo Kovacic was quickly substituted in to take his place.
As Rodri made his way off the pitch, he walked past manager Pep Guardiola and headed straight down the tunnel, shaking his head in frustration. His departure from the game has cast doubt on his availability for upcoming fixtures, which is especially concerning given City’s current injury situation.
Rodri’s injury comes on the heels of another major blow for Manchester City, as star player Kevin De Bruyne is also sidelined.
De Bruyne, who sustained an injury during the Champions League final against Inter Milan, has yet to make a return to the matchday squad. In a pre-match interview, Guardiola provided an update on De Bruyne, characterizing the injury as “not a major, massive” issue, but his absence continues to be felt on the pitch.
Guardiola will undoubtedly face a barrage of questions about the status of both Rodri and De Bruyne during his post-match media duties.
Their potential long-term absences could severely impact City’s midfield, as both players are crucial to the team’s success.
Adding to City’s injury woes are two other long-term concerns: Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb. With several key players out of action, Guardiola will need to rely on the depth of his squad to navigate this challenging period.
The timing of Rodri’s injury is particularly unfortunate, as Manchester City is set to face Watford in the Carabao Cup just 48 hours after their match against Arsenal.
As City prepares for the upcoming fixtures, fans and analysts alike are waiting anxiously for updates on Rodri’s condition. With the season still in its early stages, the team will be hoping to avoid any further setbacks to their title defense.
