Pep Guardiola’s side may have salvaged a point in the dying moments against the Gunners, but the loss of their midfielder could prove to be hugely damaging in the long run.
And breathe. After last season’s rather lackluster affairs, many expected Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta to serve up another dreary „showdown“ on Sunday when Manchester City hosted the team many expect to be their closest title rivals once again, Arsenal. However, what transpired was a breathless encounter that had just about everything, ending in a 2-2 draw after John Stones‘ dramatic equalizer just before halftime.
It’s a result that both teams can be content with. City were on the brink of suffering their first Premier League home defeat since November 2022, and given they played the entire second half against 10 men, they would have wanted to turn the game around after the break and move five points clear of the Gunners.
Arsenal, on the other hand, held firm after Leandro Trossard’s frustrating red card as they produced a stellar defensive rearguard against wave after wave of City attacks, and the fact that they came away with a point given the circumstances should be celebrated, despite the heartbreaking end to the game from their perspective.
Yet, amidst all this, perhaps the most crucial moment in terms of the destination of this season’s title came all the way back in the 20th minute when Rodri limped off the field after going down and clutching his knee inside his own penalty area while defending a corner. The Ballon d’Or contender looked in serious pain as he writhed on the ground, and a potential lengthy absence could leave City vulnerable given Rodri’s importance to Guardiola’s machine.
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