Man City finally share Rodri injury update after Arsenal clash as initial prognosis given

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed Rodri will be out for “a little while” but has yet to get the final diagnosis on his injury from his medical team.

The teary midfielder limped out of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium with a knee problem after just 21 minutes and there are fears from Blues fans that he might be out for a significant period. His expected absence comes as a huge blow for City.

The central pivot has not lost a Premier League match in 52 starts, with his club’s four defeats since February 2023 coming when Rodri has been absent. Ahead of Man City’s League Cup clash with Watford, which comes just 49 hours after the visit of Arsenal, Guardiola gave an update on Rodri’s setback and given an initial prognosis on how long he may spend on the sidelines.

"We are still waiting for the decision of the doctors [to see] exactly what he has," he told Sky Sports. "When we know it, the club or myself will announce it. Yes [he will be out for a little while]."

Rodri’s unavailability will come as an inadvertent boost for Arsenal, given the potential instability it would cause Man City. The Gunners themselves are meanwhile having to deal without one of their star names, captain Martin Odegaard.

Mikel Arteta has insisted that the midfielder’s return timeline can be measured in weeks rather than months but reports suggest that the Norwegian could perhaps be out until November.

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All the while, summer signing Mikel Merino has yet to make his debut having sustained a shoulder injury in his first training session. The Spaniard is not expected to return until after the October international break.

Deadline day recruit Raheem Sterling could make his first start for Arsenal in Wednesday’s League Cup tie against Boltom Wanderers, having made his debut in the latter stages of Sunday’s draw.

Speaking about the winger on Tuesday, manager Arteta said: "He’s had a few minutes already and tomorrow he has another opportunity. He’s ready and really hungry to have more minutes and start to impact the team in the way he can. Hopefully tomorrow we can see that."