Rodri (R) of Manchester City leaves injured in a Premier League match against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, September 22, 2024. /CFP
Manchester City's Spanish superstar midfielder Rodri will be out for "a long time" after suffering a serious knee injury in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Arsenal, City manager Pep Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday.
Rodri went down under minimal contact just 21 minutes into the home game against the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium. Initial tests indicated that he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Rodri has since traveled to Barcelona for additional tests.
"Still we don't have the definitive [answer]," Guardiola said at a press conference. "He will be out for a long time. But there are some opinions that it will be less than we expect. Right now I cannot tell you. We are waiting for the last phone calls and the type of surgery he needs. Tonight or tomorrow we know."
After joining City from Atletico Madrid in July 2019, Rodri has been an integral playmaker for the English giants, who have won four Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy since then. He is one of the favorites for the Ballon d'Or this year.
Rodri of Manchester City goes down injured in a Premier League match against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, September 22, 2024. /CFP
Last week, Rodri complained to the press about how overloaded today's footballers are, as they have to play more than 60 games every season. He made a total of 63 appearances in all competitions for City last season, and continued to compete for Spain in the UEFA European Championship through the final on July 14.
Manchester City lead the Premier League with 13 points after earning four wins and one draw in their first five matches. Both Liverpool and Aston Villa are one point behind. Arsenal, who are undefeated as well, sit two points off the pace.
City will travel to St James' Park to play Newcastle on Saturday in their next Premier League game. Three days after that, they will visit Slovan Bratislava at the Tehelne Pole Stadium in the UEFA Champions League.
"We will have a good season," Guardiola said. "I trust a lot in my players. I have a duty to find a solution. He's irreplaceable, when you don't play with the best player in the world. My duty is to find a solution, be competitive like many years and continue to be there."