Arsenal have been handed a potentially huge boost ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield, with Manchester City captain Rodri facing uncertainty over both his availability for the final and his future at the club.
The World Cup-winning midfielder was notably absent as six of City’s returning World Cup stars reported back for training on Wednesday, leaving him with just a matter of days to prepare for the meeting with Arsenal.
Rodri is due back at Manchester City on Friday following his extended post-World Cup break, but the Manchester Evening News reports that it remains to be seen whether he actually returns to the club or is granted further time away while he attempts to finalise a move to Barcelona.
That means the City captain could potentially miss Sunday’s Community Shield altogether.
Rodri has expressed an interest in joining Barcelona this summer, with the Catalan giants pushing to bring the Spain international back to La Liga.
Manchester City are understood to be demanding around £60million for the 30-year-old, with Barcelona needing to meet that valuation to get a deal over the line.
The situation has therefore created major uncertainty just days before City face Arsenal for the first piece of silverware of the new campaign.
Rodri is regarded as one of the most important players in Pep Guardiola’s former side and was named the best player at this summer’s World Cup after helping Spain to glory.
His absence would therefore represent a significant advantage for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, particularly with the Community Shield providing the first competitive test of the new season.
There is also a fitness element to Rodri’s situation.
The midfielder underwent minor back surgery following the World Cup and City had previously confirmed that he was expected to return on Friday.
However, with Barcelona actively pursuing a transfer and Rodri keen on a move to the Catalan club, his immediate future has become increasingly difficult to predict.
City are already preparing for the possibility of losing their captain, with reports indicating that they would look to bring in a replacement if Barcelona complete the deal.
The uncertainty comes at an awkward time for City, who are attempting to finalise their squad ahead of the new campaign.
For Arsenal, however, it could hardly be more timely.
Arteta’s side will head into Sunday’s final knowing they could be facing a Manchester City team without its captain and arguably its most important midfielder.
Rodri is expected to report back on Friday, but whether he will actually be available to face Arsenal remains unclear.
And if Barcelona succeed in meeting City’s £60million valuation, the Community Shield could potentially become one of Rodri’s final moments as a Manchester City player – or even come too late for him to feature at all.