Arsenal have been on Manchester City’s tail for the previous two seasons as Mikel Arteta eyes the Premier League title.
Things have been rather different this year as Liverpool have emerged as early title contenders, sitting nine points ahead of the Gunners.
Arsenal have been urged to kick on to ensure they don’t lose sight of Arne Slot’s side, who are leading the way after 12 matches played.
Manchester City on the other hand are suffering something of a nightmare, struggling through a winless run of six games.
Rodri snubs Arsenal in new career claim
A lot of Pep Guardiola’s struggles relate to Rodri’s ACL injury, a season-ending blow the midfielder sustained against Arsenal.
The Spaniard is integral to how City operate as a squad with his absence impactful in all the wrong ways for the reigning champions so far.
Amid his time on the sidelines, which has seen Rodri win the Ballon d’Or for his efforts in 2023/24, the Euro 2024 winner opened up about his career on The Rest Is Football podcast.
Being a player who is regarded as the world’s best right now, Rodri rarely finds himself in difficult situations however, the Spain international admitted one squad has troubled him.
“My first year [in the Premier League] was the worst because we faced that Liverpool that was unbelievable, I think I’d say the best one [team] I faced in my career,” Rodri said.
The midfielder snubbed the Arsenal side that City haven’t beaten in their previous four meetings to praise Liverpool, doing the same when selecting the best player he’s faced.
“Prime Salah, I haven’t seen any player play that way,” the City midfielder declared.
“He was like a knife, not that skilful like let’s say Neymar or Vini [Vinicius Jr] or these kinds of players but knife, you know, scoring, assisting.”
Rodri had no time to credit Arsenal despite the Gunners being City’s closest rivals for the title over the past two years, with all praise directed at Jurgen Klopp’s former Liverpool side.
When could Rodri return from injury?
The Spanish superstar hasn’t been the highest-regarded player at Arsenal in recent times, with Rodri criticising the Gunners for how Arteta sets his team up.
For now, the 28-year-old can keep talking as he continues his recovery, with the Ballon d’Or winner hopeful of returning before the 2024/25 calendar comes to an end.
Arsenal’s title chances were revisited after Rodri’s injury due to the influence that the Spaniard has in Guardiola’s squad although, Liverpool seem to be the greater concern.
City’s dip in form without their crucial player must be taken advantage of by the Gunners, who will be desperate to win the title after missing out twice.
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