Pep Guardiola reveals his midfield linchpin is battling a knee issue, casting a shadow over a pivotal Premier League trip to the Emirates.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been handed a major anxiety ahead of Sunday’s titanic Premier League clash with Arsenal, revealing that midfield stalwart Rodri will require a late fitness test after a knee injury resurfaced.
The concern comes just days after City’s confident 2-0 Champions League opening win over Napoli, a match in which Rodri was substituted after an hour. Guardiola disclosed that the Spanish international, whose previous season was decimated by an ACL rupture, had felt pain in the same knee both before and during the game.
When directly asked if Rodri could play against Arsenal, Guardiola admitted uncertainty. “It’s a good question. I don’t know yet,” he stated. “He comes from a tough, tough injury. We have to be alert, and we will decide on Sunday how he feels.”
The manager was effusive in his praise for Rodri’s mental strength, a quality he believes defines the world’s greatest players. Pointing to his head, Guardiola explained, “They are incredibly self-confident, and Rodri is that.” However, he emphasized that physical recovery operates on its own timeline, separate from mentality. “The knee needs its process… we are patient with him, he will be back.”
This new injury worry is the last thing Guardiola needs, as he already navigates a significant injury crisis. The club’s summer signings, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri, are both sidelined shortly after their arrivals, joining Mateo Kovacic in the treatment room. Forward Omar Marmoush is also unavailable after sustaining a knee injury on international duty with Egypt.
The potential absence of Rodri, the metronomic heartbeat of City’s team, would be a monumental blow for a match that could have major implications in the early title race, forcing Guardiola to find a solution to a problem he desperately hoped to avoid.
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