Manchester City are set to be without a crucial cog in their system for the biggest game of the Premier League season so far this weekend.
The treble winners travel to the Emirates to take on title rivals Arsenal in a huge showdown on Sunday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola’s side were beaten for the first time this season against Wolves last time out and will be aiming to get back to winning ways in the best possible way.
However, they will have to do so without the ever-reliable midfield anchor…
Rodri is not available for Man City against Arsenal.
The Spaniard will be serving the second game of his three-match ban this weekend.
He was shown a straight red card during the City’s game against Nottingham Forest for pushing Morgan Gibbs-White in the neck.
Rodri then missed the 2-1 defeat to Wolves in a game that proved how much his presence is missed in midfield.
Speaking after the sending-off, manager Guardiola expressed his disappointment.
The Man City boss said: «Hopefully, Rodri will learn.
»Rodri has to control himself and his emotion. That is what he has to do.
«I can get a yellow card, Rodri cannot get a yellow card because they are inside the pitch.
»I said at half-time, 'Be careful, guys. Be careful.' Unfortunately, we could not do it. Rodri could not do it."
Rodri will now be absent for this Sunday’s huge clash at the Emirates before completing his suspension against Brighton after the international break.
His return date is set to be in the first Manchester derby of the season on October 29.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest Manchester City fixtures and results and live Premier League standings in our new match centre.
Read on talksport.com