Rodri suspended for Arsenal game but Man City can ‘handle it’ – even with Kevin De Bruyne injured too
Manchester City could well be without the midfield that saw them do a league double over title rivals Arsenal last season due to Rodri's suspension.
But talkSPORT have been told they still have enough to fend off the Gunners when they clash on October 8.
With Kevin De Bruyne sidelined with a long-term hamstring injury and Ilkay Gundogan moving to Barcelona, City have been fielding a new-look midfield this campaign.
Rodri has been the glue holding the side together with a string of superb displays and many branding him one of the world's best in defensive midfield.
However, a red card against Nottingham Forest for grabbing Morgan Gibbs-White around the throat now sees him out for three games.
Matheus Nunes has done well since being slotted into manager Pep Guardiola's team having signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bernardo Silva has the versatility to play box-to-box, while Julian Alvarez is playing in a No.10 role in lieu of De Bruyne.
Rodri's absence, though, has the potential to be harmful with Kalvin Phillips the logical replacement, despite a lack of minutes since his arrival last season.
But while some at Gunners fans might be licking their lips, former Premier League star Tony Cascarino reckons Arsenal will still find City a force to be reckoned with.
«Unfortunately, Arsenal were on the end of a 4-1 defeat and a 3-1 defeat last season,» he told the Weekend Sports Breakfast.
«Are Arsenal a better team this year? Yes, I think they are. They have more about them.
»But it's still having to get over the hurdle of beating Manchester City, because last year, when they were in the run-in, City did a job on them twice.
«Once at the Emirates and once at the Etihad.
»That's something that Arteta obviously, with some of the decisions
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