Arsenal held Manchester City to a scoreless draw on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium when the Premier League winners were missing several important players.
In their most recent game against Arsenal, Manchester City struggled because of the absence of important players like Ederson, John Stones, and Kyle Walker.
The team’s primary concern, nonetheless, was their lack of offensive punch as they managed just one shot on goal and failed to score for the first time at home since October 2021.
With 73% of the ball, City was unable to penetrate Arsenal’s defense, and Erling Haaland, who is leading the Golden Boot race, was criticized for not playing more. Liverpool has the temporary edge due to this draw.
The league leaders Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-1 prior to City’s game, so they are still three points behind, but the champions remain confident as they pursue a second straight Treble.
Although City was able to function without Stones, Walker, and Ederson, Rodri’s absence would be devastating. He hasn’t dropped a match in his playing career, thus Guardiola’s team would suffer greatly without him.
The Manchester Evening News adds that the Spanish player’s red and yellow card suspensions prevented him from playing in the Premier League matches against Wolves, Arsenal, and Aston Villa, which is why the club has only lost four games this season.
Another ban for Rodri is just two bookings away. He has already had eight yellow cards, and he will miss two games if he receives two more in City’s next three games.
A player will be suspended for two matches if they receive ten yellow cards in the first 32 Premier League games for their team. City has participated in 29 games thus far.
Rodri will be ineligible to participate in the league games against Luton and Brighton if he receives a yellow card in the match against Aston Villa on Wednesday and again against Crystal Palace on Saturday. That would be a significant advantage for City’s opponents for the title, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Rodri would miss the games against Brighton and Nottingham Forest if he receives two yellow cards in separate games up to and including the Luton encounter on April 13. The 27-year-old won’t be suspended if he receives his tenth booking of the year in the team’s 33rd league match, which is away to Brighton.
Since bans are no longer transferable to other domestic tournaments, Rodri would be eligible to play in the FA Cup semi-final on April 20 against Chelsea. Unless he receives a red card in the first leg, he would be eligible to play against Real Madrid in both games as domestic bans have never been enforced in Europe.
