Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will need to make adjustments to his midfield for their upcoming match against Arsenal next month.
Rodri will be absent for City's visit to North London due to a red card he received in their recent 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. The holding midfielder was sent off for an incident involving Morgan Gibbs-White early in the second half.
Rodri is set to miss three domestic fixtures, starting with the Carabao Cup match against Newcastle United tomorrow, making him unavailable for the game against Arsenal. This absence is seen as a positive development for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, who are looking to avenge last season's three defeats to City.
The treble-winning City team defeated the Gunners 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium and inflicted a 4-1 defeat late in the title race. The upcoming match is already being billed as an early title decider, given City's impressive start to the season with six consecutive wins.
Prior to that clash, both teams have one league game each to play. As Guardiola should decide on Rodri's potential replacement for facing Arsenal, here are three midfield options.
Kalvin Phillips
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One option is to make a like-for-like change in the midfield, as City has been using a 4-2-3-1 formation this season. Matheus Nunes, who partnered Rodri in the last two games, is expected to retain his place, but Kalvin Phillips could be a strong alternative.
Mateo Kovacic
Image Source: Manchester City FC
Another option is to bring in Mateo Kovacic, who is known for his ability to venture forward from a deeper position. This would signal Guardiola's confidence in winning the midfield battle against Arteta's side.
John Stones
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The worst-case scenario for Arsenal would be the return of John Stones, who has been sidelined this season due to a muscular injury. Stones usually plays centrally in a back three, and his return could mean a tactical shift for City. However, his lack of playing time may limit his involvement against Arsenal, especially from the start.