Pep Guardiola’s team could be without the midfielder as they bid to go top against Burnley on Wednesday
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Rodri has hit his best form in recent weeks but was forced off late on at the Etihad
Rodri has hit his best form in recent weeks but was forced off late on at the Etihad (Reuters)
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Rodri has given Manchester City an injury worry for the title race after limping off in their 2-1 win over Arsenal.
The Ballon d’Or winner has a groin problem, which will be examined on Sunday or Monday, as Pep Guardiola waits to discover the extent of the damage.
Rodri, who was replaced by Nico Gonzalez when he went off in the 88th minute, has found his best form of the season in recent weeks as City have recorded four straight wins in all competitions.
They go to Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday and then have an FA Cup semi-final against Southampton on Saturday and could be without Rodri, with Guardiola saying: “The doctors will make tests later or tomorrow.”
The City manager, who had warned the title race would be over if his side lost to league leaders Arsenal, said victory gave his team hope and was pleased they are still alive.
Rayan Cherki opened the scoring for City and, after Kai Havertz levelled following a mistake from Gianluigi Donnarumma, Erling Haaland got a second half-decider.
And Guardiola added: “We have hopes and still extend the chance to fight until the end. We were not in our best, I give a lot of credit to them but we are alive, we are there. Everybody is pushing.”
But Guardiola, whose team remain second but are three points behind with a game in hand on Arsenal, downplayed suggestions they are favourites now.
“Who is top of the league?” he said. “We are not. In goal difference, they are better. Step by step.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he will not be hard to rouse his players from the disappointment of defeat and argued if he cannot motivate them now, he is in the wrong job.
He said: “If I have to pick [up] the players to win the Premier League with five games to go in our hands and [to] be in the final of the Champions League, I think I should be at home. So it's not the case. It's not needed. It's never been needed, even in difficult moments. So we will go again, that's for sure.”