Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City’s midfielder Rodri is set to undergo surgery following an ACL injury sustained during City’s recent 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
The Spanish international, who has been described as “irreplaceable” by Guardiola, is expected to be out for a significant period, a development that could have a major impact on the Premier League title race.
Rodri’s injury against Arsenal
Rodri suffered the injury midway through the first half, in what was an innocuous coming together with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey during a corner.
The City midfielder jarred his leg while jostling for position, and after several minutes on the ground in visible pain, he was forced off.
Guardiola confirms surgery and long-term absence
In the days following the match, it was confirmed by Manchester City that Rodri would need surgery.
Pep Guardiola spoke to the media and described the Spaniard as “irreplaceable,” emphasising his significance to the team.
“We are waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors for what definitely he has and the type of surgery he has to get,” Guardiola said. He also admitted that Rodri’s absence would be a “big blow,” but assured fans that he would find a way to adapt.
![‘Irreplaceable’ Rodri will need operation, admits Guardiola The Daily Telegraph25 Sep 2024By Mike Mcgrath at the Etihad Stadium Air we go: Christopher Nkunku does his trademark balloon celebration Such is the intensity of Manchester City’s fixture schedule, the clock had barely ticked past 48 hours since their fractious draw against Arsenal before they were on the pitch again. So soon, in fact, that the serious knee injury Rodri suffered in the game had yet to be fully assessed by medics. Pep Guardiola described Rodri as “irreplaceable” when confirming the Spaniard would require surgery, with the City manager now assessing his options to cover for the loss of the player he considers the best in the world in his defensive midfield position. Rodri has been outspoken on the demands of the football calendar being unsustainable for players and this Carabao Cup victory was a case in point. City barely had time to reflect on their battle with their closest title rivals before Watford’s arrival. In truth, the fallout from the Arsenal clash and all its flashpoints was still reverberating around the Etihad Stadium and a fairly straightforward win was a part of the comedown. Jeremy Doku’s early goal set the Premier League champions on their way to victory. Matheus Nunes added another to give the tie a feel of a training match until Tom Ince pulled one back late on. Before and after the match, the focus was on how long Rodri would be sidelined. “Still we don’t have the definitive [diagnosis] but he will be out for a long time, a while,” Guardiola said afterwards. “We are waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors for what definitely he has and the type of surgery he has to get.” Guardiola took no risks with his team, starting only two from the Arsenal clash. It was a second string by his own admission and that will continue to be the case in this competition. Afterwards, he joked whether there was another match today for his overworked team. “The next round, I announce to you that I will play the second team,” he said. “We are not going to waste energy for sure. I don’t know what will happen, if we have injuries we play the second team. It is a good competition to play the second team. “Of course we played 50 hours ago, players play a lot of minutes, I’m not going to play a risk in this competition with the Premier League and Champions League.” Guardiola also gave a senior debut to Kaden Braithwaite, 16, who was born in the same year Kyle Walker started as a professional. The teenager became City’s third-youngest debutant and it was an ideal evening to start his career. He had a taste of the physical side of the game against Tom Cleverley’s team and was substituted off by the time Watford grabbed their goal. City went ahead in the first stages of the match after James Mcatee intercepted Ryan Porteous’s backpass and the hosts were in position to work the ball around yellow shirts. Doku skipped around James Morris and planted his finish into the bottom corner. Nunes put his name on the scoresheet just before the half-time interval, finishing off a move of City short passes around the edge of the penalty area. The Portugal midfielder had not been on the scoresheet since moving from Wolves at the start of last season, but found the net by angling his shot in at the near post. Ince’s reply in the final stages came when he curled into the top corner, although the focus was firmly on how City would cope without the influence of Rodri for the foreseeable future. “We don’t want it, but we will have a good season,” Guardiola said. “I expect a lot from my players and I have a duty to find a solution even if Rodri is irreplaceable. When a team doesn’t play with the best midfielder in the world for a long, long time, it is a big blow. “But it’s football. It happens. And it is my duty to find a solution, be competitive as we have been for many, many years and be there, be a problem for our opponents. If there is an alternative, we will do it. When you have one player who is irreplaceable, as a team we have to find a solution. “Last season, we were three months without Erling [Haaland], five months without Kevin [De Bruyne] and we found solutions.” Manchester City (4-3-3) Ortega 6; Lewis 7, Walker 7, Stones 7, Braithwaite 7 (Gvardiol 76); Mcatee 7, Nunes 8, O’reilly 6 (J Wright 73); Doku 8 (Savinho ht), Foden 6, Grealish 7. Subs Akanji, Gundogan, Kovacic, Bernardo, Ederson (g), Dias. Watford (3-4-2-1) Bond 6; Ogbonna 6, Porteous 5, Morris 5; Larouci 5 (Dele-bashiru 61), Ince 7, Louza 5, Sema 5; Ebosele 5 (Pollock 75), Baah 6 (Vata 76); Bayo 6 (Chakvetadze 61). Subs Adu-poku, Doumbia, Dwomoh, Marriott (g), Tikvic. Referee Mark Dwyer (West Yorkshire). chipped pass, and Chelsea were off and running. “You look at the Premier League and at the lower leagues and think it looks like a different sport,” said Barrow manager Stephen Clemence. “The gulf is massive.” Chelsea’s second came just seven minutes after their opener, Nkunku flicking home Malo Gusto’s cross. Felix forced the third by curling a free-kick against a post, watching as it bounced into the net off goalkeeper Paul Farman. Not only outclassed, Barrow were also unlucky. Chelsea’s fourth goal came after the break, Neto striking his first for the club from Mudryk’s cross. To Barrow’s credit, they enjoyed a promising spell and went close through Kian Spence, but Nkunku swiftly put them back in their place. For reasons unknown, Farman tried to dribble past Nkunku who calmly removed the ball from his possession before rolling it into the net. It was the ultimate demonstration of Chelsea dominance. Article Name:‘Irreplaceable’ Rodri will need operation, admits Guardiola Publication:The Daily Telegraph Author:By Mike Mcgrath at the Etihad Stadium Start Page:6 End Page:6](https://dailycannon.com/static/uploads/2024/09/240925-telelgraph-rodri.png "Pep Guardiola confirms Rodri needs surgery 3")
“I expect a lot from my players and I have a duty to find a solution even if Rodri is irreplaceable. When a team doesn’t play with the best midfielder in the world for a long, long time, it is a big blow. But it’s football. It happens.
“And it is my duty to find a solution, be competitive as we have been for many, many years and be there, be a problem for our opponents. If there is an alternative, we will do it. When you have one player who is irreplaceable, as a team we have to find a solution.”
Impact on Arsenal and the title race
Rodri’s absence could prove to be a significant factor in the Premier League title race, and Arsenal may be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
In recent years, Rodri has been an essential figure in City’s midfield, acting as the anchor that connects their defensive line to their attacking one. Without him, City’s balance and control in midfield may suffer, a weakness that Arsenal and other title contenders could look to exploit.
Historically, Manchester City has struggled when Rodri has been absent. Last season, they dropped points in several matches without him, highlighting his influence on their performance.
Rodri arrives in Spain for further assessment
Reports confirm that Rodri has arrived in Spain for further assessments on his knee, with sources indicating that he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Spanish media outlet Marca has stated that the diagnosis points to a torn ACL in his right knee, although a definitive diagnosis is expected after more extensive testing in Madrid.
Dr. Rajpal Brar, a specialist in sports medicine, has explained that hands-on testing is highly reliable when it comes to ACL injuries, and the MRI tests usually serve as a confirmation of the initial diagnosis.
Unfortunately for City, the early indications suggest that Rodri’s injury is as serious as initially feared.