From Spain: First test results on Manchester City midfielder Rodri reveal initial feeling around injury | OneFootball

First reports emerging from Spain have offered an early insight into the feeling around the injury sustained by Rodri in Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

The 28-year-old was at the centre of numerous strong challenges from opposition players during the battle at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, but sustained a seemingly serious issue in a largely non-contact incident.

Under pressure from Thomas Partey inside the Arsenal penalty area during a Manchester City corner-kick routine, Rodri appeared to jar his knee with his leg planted into the Etihad Stadium pitch whilst running towards the ball.

The Spaniard was in significant discomfort and medical staff called for a stretcher to be brought onto the pitch in case of more serious damage. However, Rodri left the pitch on his own without too much assistance, and remaining at the stadium for the rest of the game.

With Pep Guardiola unable to offer too much insight into the severity of the problem when speaking to the media after the game, but a new report on Monday has pointed towards an initial feeling around the problem after first tests.

According to the information of Spanish outlet El Larguero, first tests conducted by Manchester City on Sunday night ruled out any ‘serious’ injury sustained by the club’s defensive midfielder Rodri.

The report explains that Manchester City’s club doctors are now waiting for Monday’s results in order to be able to give a clearer recovery date on the Spaniard’s injury, with the player himself described as ‘more optimistic’ than he was after the game with Arsenal on Sunday.

Speaking during his post-match press conference after the 2-2 draw against Arsenal, Pep Guardiola said on his midfielder’s injury, “Rodri is a strong man!

“He left the pitch in this action because he felt something. Otherwise, Rodri stays there,” he continued. “Rodri is a vocal guy, has presence… He’s the best holding midfielder in the world, a potential Ballon d’Or winner, I would love it. He’s important. But it’s happened.”

“At the end, what happened in the first minute, and the other one, these are the type of games with Arsenal, they’re like that. We have to handle it. We have to handle it for many, many aspects like we are not used to, and we have to handle it. And we did it.”

Manchester City take on Watford in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, before attentions return to Premier League action with the clash against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday lunchtime.