Man City star Rodri ‘out for the season’ as injury shakes up Arsenal title race | Football | Sport

But City’s bubble has been burst a day later, with Rodri, among the favourites for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, set to be a long-term absentee.

According to ESPN, tests on Monday morning confirmed that Rodri had suffered an ACL tear in his right knee during the blockbuster Premier League encounter.

He immediately appeared in pain after stumbling while contesting a front-post run with Thomas Partey at a corner.

Multiple City team-mates gestured for medical attention before Guardiola called on Mateo Kovacic to replace him.

Rodri managed to walk off the pitch with the help of two members of medical staff, offering optimism that his issue wasn’t serious.

But it’s claimed that all signs point towards an ACL injury, and he is primed to undergo surgery in Barcelona after further tests.

In the build-up to the Arsenal match, Rodri publicly spoke out against the increased volume of games brought upon players due to the expanded Champions League and Club World Cup formats.

“I think we are close to that [going on strike]. If it keeps this way, it will be a moment that we have no other option, but let’s see,” the Spaniard explained.

Guardiola was among those to support Rodri’s claims, and he will now have to form a plan to replace one of the stalwarts of his relentless success at City.

City are the Premier League leaders with 13 points after five games, joining Arsenal, Brighton and Nottingham Forest as the remaining unbeaten sides.

But Rodri’s impending unavailability represents a mammoth task under another challenge from Arsenal.

Arne Slot‘s Liverpool and Aston Villa have also enjoyed flying starts, potentially setting up an exciting tussle at the top.

Kovacic appears to be first in line to fill in for Rodri, while Matheus Nunes will hope to finally receive an opportunity to make his mark.