Joleon Lescott has said that Rodri’s absence is a big problem for Manchester City.
The midfielder missed his first Premier League match since being sent off in City’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest last weekend, suspending him from yesterday’s 2-1 defeat against Wolves.
With the Spaniard now set to miss next weekend’s big Premier League showdown against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, one pundit and former City player has had his say on the impact this suspension has had on Pep Guardiola’s side.
Lescott weighs in on Rodri absence
Speaking in a recent livestream on the club’s official YouTube channel, Lescott had this to say about Rodri and his absence.
He said: “I think he’s a miss, whether we want to recognise that or not, I think he has a massive impact and a massive influence on attack and defence, not just defensively.”
Bearing in mind how City conceded four goals across the two Premier League games that Rodri didn’t feature in last season, this gives a clue to the sort of defensive cover he offers the side and how vulnerable they can be without him in the team.
Having now seen City concede two goals in one league game for the first time since January, this further highlights how important the 27-year-old, who the club paid £62m to sign back in 2019, is from a defensive point of view.
Then from an attacking point of view, the Citizens have not been able to score a goal in open play since the midfielder was sent off against Forest.
Looking ahead to next weekend’s big match against Arsenal, City will have to make sure they are clinical in front of goal and as tight as they can be at the back if they want to be leaving north London with all three points.
