Rodri’s comments on Arsenal’s approach last season may still be relevant in today’s match. | OneFootball

Late last season Manchester City and Arsenal played out a drab nil-all draw at the Etihad. There was an opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side to seize the initiative in the title race last season with a victory over Pep Guardiola’s side. Instead, the Gunners played for a point and left the Etihad with a draw. That approach from Arsenal gave Manchester City the belief that they could overhaul Arsenal and claim a fourth consecutive Premier League title. History says City did just that. That fact wasn’t lost on Rodri. Rodri’s comments following City’s title win could still be relevant in today’s match.

Speaking after Manchester City’s title win Rodri was quick to emphasize the difference in mentality between the two teams. The full quote can be seen below.

Heading into today’s match Rodri’s comments do still appear to be relevant. While today’s game isn’t a title decider by any stretch it is still a crucial match. If Arsenal play for a draw again it may play into the narrative of the difference in mentality between the two games. Whatever the result is today, the full effect of it won’t be known until the end of the season. But if Arsenal play for a draw you would have to question if they believe they can beat Manchester City, especially at the Etihad.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has said that his team will be playing to win at the Etihad Stadium today. He also said he doesn’t care about Rodri’s comments after City’s title triumph last season. In a quote published in the Express, he said: “This Sunday we will be going there to win as well. That is our focus. To be honest, I don’t really care [about Rodri’s comments]. We know what we believed, we know what we went there to achieve. Only we know the real truth. We went there to win and we are going to do that again this Sunday.”

Rodri’s comments about Arsenal’s approach at the Etihad last season may have provided Arsenal with ammunition to use for today’s match. But how Arsenal approach today’s game is something to watch for, especially in the early stages of the game. Both teams will play to their strengths, that is obvious. One of Arsenal’s strengths is their defence. But if they once again play for a point Rodri may well have a point about the difference in mentality between the two teams.