Rodri’s ACL injury which he suffered against Arsenal will undoubtedly be a huge moment in the title-race, Manchester City have lost their most important player.
Mikel Arteta perhaps suffered a similar fate when Martin Odegaard returned to Arsenal with a significant ankle issue after being away with Norway.
However, Odegaard is expected to be back well before the end of the year – Rodri might not play again this season.
Ian Wright thinks Odegaard is irreplaceable for Arsenal, but fortunately the Gunners should have their captain back before too long.
That being said, Paul Merson has now come to a surprise conclusion about Arsenal’s chances of winning the league after Rodri’s injury.
Arsenal told Myles Lewis-Skelly won’t win them the Premier League
Before Arsenal even played against Man City, Merson said: “I always thought, ‘Oh, who’s going to beat Man City over 38 games?’
“I’ve seen enough today that Arsenal will be there. Arsenal have every chance of winning this Premier League.”
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Of course, if the Gunners were then almost able to City at the Etihad and the hosts lost their best player for the season in the process, it would be logical to suggest that Arsenal were now favourites.
But not in Merson’s book.
Speaking via Sky Sports, the former Arsenal man now said he couldn’t ‘see past Man City’ for the title, saying that Rodri’s injury made him realise just how strong their squad depth is.
Merson parallelled that point by saying that Arsenal had to turn to 17-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly when City were bringing on John Stones.
He said: “Rodri is going to be a huge miss – with that in mind and Sunday’s result, Arsenal will be right up there come the end of the season but I still can’t see past Man City.
“You’ve just got to look at the substitutions they’re making. Jack Grealish comes on for Jeremy Doku. Phil Foden comes on. There’s no Kevin De Bruyne. John Stones comes off the bench and scores the goal.
“On Sunday, Arsenal brought on Myles Lewis-Skelly. He’s doing great and looks a good prospect coming through the ranks, but he’s just a young kid making his debut.
“It’s just a different world and that is the difference between City and the rest.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri to get their chance vs Bolton
In response to Merson’s comments, Arsenal fans would probably point out that Arteta still has several players to return from injury in the coming weeks.
Soon it will be the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mikel Merino coming off the bench – players who definitely rival what City have available.
Raheem Sterling is another example of Arsenal’s strength in depth, a really smart move on deadline day.
There’s no doubt that Arteta’s squad is in a stronger position this season, and although Bolton should be relatively straightforward opposition for the Gunners, there’s a chance for several players to prove a point.
The likes of Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Martinelli seem desperate for a rest, and should get their wish ahead of facing Leicester City.
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