- Rodri was forced off with an injury in the first half and was replaced by Kovacic
- The Spaniard when down clutching his knee after a challenge with Partey
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Manchester City talisman Rodri was forced off with an injury against Arsenal in worrying scenes.
The Spanish midfielder went down clutching his knee after jostling for position with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey inside the box.
Unfortunately for City, Rodri required further medical attention and had to be helped off the field.
The 28-year-old was visibly emotional as he received treatment on the field as well.
City boss Pep Guardiola brought Mateo Kovacic on in Rodri’s place.
Rodri fell to the ground and clutched his right knee after a challenge with Thomas Partey
The midfielder had to be helped off the field in the first half of City’s game against Arsenal
Barely a minute after Rodri had gone off, Arsenal cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener as Riccardo Calafiori curled a delightful long-range effort past a sprawling Ederson.
The Gunners then went ahead in first half stoppage time as Gabriel rose highest to nod home a Bukayo Saka corner.
A VAR check ensued to assess whether Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli obstructed City goalkeeper Ederson, but the goal stood.
But Mikel Arteta’s side were given a mountain to climb on the stroke of half time when Leandro Trossard was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The Belgian clattered into the back of Bernardo Silva, who had his eyes on the ball, and left referee Michael Oliver with little choice but to brandish a second yellow card.
Earlier in the match, Rodri fell to the ground only a few seconds after City had kicked off as Gunners forward Kai Havertz ran into him.
Guardiola will hope Rodri’s injury is only a minor one, with City’s record without the Spaniard notably less impressive than when he is in the team.
With Rodri, City have won 74 per cent of games and lost only 11 per cent.
Haaland opened the scoring at the Etihad Stadium with his 100th Premier League goal
However, Gabriel nodded the Gunners in front after Riccardo Calafiori had equalised
Arsenal were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time after Leandro Trossard got sent off
But without the midfielder, the win rate drops to 64 per cent while they lose 24 per cent of games.
In fact, all three of City’s league matches they lost last season came when Rodri was out due to suspension.
The only game he lost for City all of last season was the FA Cup final against Manchester United.
