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.
Rodri was forced off injured in Man City’s clash with Arsenal
He went down after a light tussle with Thomas Partey
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 appeared to have 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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Arsenal ratings vs Man City
TEN-MAN Arsenal came desperately close to beating Man City.
Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s men, John Stones popped up in the 98th minute to score an equaliser with the match ending 2-2.
Here’s how the players rated…
DAVID RAYA – 9
Well beaten for Haaland’s opener but continued his impressive start to the season with some super second half stops – notably from Haaland and Gvardiol.
RICARDO CALAFIORI – 8
A full debut the Italian won’t forget. Didn’t get close enough to Savinho for the opening goal but made amends with his stunning long range curler to level it.
GABRIEL – 9
Planted one header over but made no mistake with his second one just before the break to score for the second straight weekend.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
Clattered by Haaland early on and lost the Norwegian for City’s goal – but dusted himself down and led the rearguard action for the visitors superbly.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 8
Asked to play an unfamiliar role on the right but did a great job for his boss keeping the livewire Doku quiet – and did fine when Pep changed it around too.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Caused Walker plenty of problems in the first half. Played the ball back for Calafiori to score and teed up another great chance for Trossard.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Helped Arsenal work their way back into the game after early onslaught – and protected the back four so well when City were camped on the edge of the box.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Quick thinking from free-kick led to equaliser – also involved in the collision with Rodri that changed the course of the game.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Always a threat with his corners – not least when Arsenal got their second. Subbed at the break to make way for an extra defender.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Steered good chance over. Booked for pulling back Savinho then a second yellow for barge on Silva and then delaying the restart. Stupid from the Belgian.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Early collision with Rodri and caused a few problems in the first half but then had to focus on helping his 10 man team out defensively.
SUBS
WHITE – 7
(For Saka 46) – Thrown on to shore up the defence at the break – and did exactly that.
KIWIOR – 6
(For Calafiori 74 )– Gave the Italian a rest for the final few minutes and kept it tight.
JESUS – 6
(For Martinelli 87) – Some good pressing against his old team in the closing minutes
LEWIS SKELLY – 6
(For Timber 90) – Good experience for the youngster but was bizarrely booked before even coming on for his debut.
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There was minimal contact between the pair.
But that didn’t stop Rodri from writhing on the ground in agony.
Sky SportsRodri had previously gone down after colliding with Kai Havertz just seconds into the game[/caption]
Sky SportsPep Guardiola angrily kicked a chair after Arsenal equalised following Erling Haaland’s opener[/caption]
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.
Pep kicks off
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.
Arsenal put up an amazing display of defensive resilience but couldn’t hold out.
Substitute John Stones managed to score an 98th minute equaliser as the match ended 2-2.
GettyJohn Stones scored a 98th minute equaliser[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
