'Irreplaceable' Rodri out for a long time: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri will be out "for a long time" because of a knee injury he suffered against Arsenal.

In Short

• Rodri sustained a knee injury during City's 2-2 draw against Arsenal
• Pep Guardiola said midfielder Rodri will be sidelined for a long time
• Rodri has travelled to Barcelona for further medical assessments

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that key midfielder Rodri will be sidelined "for a long time" due to a knee injury sustained in City's recent 2-2 draw against Arsenal. The 28-year-old Spaniard, a vital cog in City's midfield, was forced to leave the field during the first half of the clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Rodri has since travelled to Barcelona for further medical assessments, with surgery looking likely. However, Guardiola shared a glimmer of hope that the midfielder's recovery could be quicker than initially anticipated.

"Still, we don't have the definitive answer," Guardiola explained during a press conference on Tuesday. "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 for sure. We're waiting for the final consultation about the type of surgery he needs. We'll know more tonight or tomorrow."

Rodri's extended absence is a significant blow for Manchester City, as they continue their quest for a fifth consecutive Premier League title. Since joining the club from Atlético Madrid in 2019, Rodri has established himself as one of Guardiola's most trusted players and one of the best midfielders in world football. His stellar performances last season were instrumental in City's historic treble-winning campaign and Spain's European Championship triumph.

Rodri is also among the leading contenders for the prestigious Ballon d'Or, competing alongside Real Madrid's Vin­cius Jºnior.

Acknowledging the massive impact of Rodri's absence, Guardiola stated, "He's irreplaceable, especially when you don't have the best player in the world in that position. But we will have a good season. I trust a lot in my players. My duty is to find a solution, be competitive as we have been for many years, and continue to be there."

Guardiola's comments came after City's 2-1 victory over Watford in the Carabao Cup, which saw them progress to the fourth round. Despite a rotated squad due to a congested fixture schedule, City managed to secure the win thanks to early goals from Jérémy Doku and Matheus Nunes. Doku capitalized on a defensive error by Watford in the fourth minute, while Nunes scored his first goal for City with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box just before halftime.