Rodri: Arsenal v City is a special fixture | OneFootball

Rodri says Sunday’s Premier League trip to Arsenal marks the latest instalment in what has become a special rivalry between City and the Gunners.

With Pep Guardiola’s side and Mikel Arteta’s outfit having been amongst those at the forefront of the battle for league supremacy over the past few seasons, it has meant meetings between the teams have carried extra significance.

Last season’s Etihad clash between the sides was a spicy, high-octane affair that finished 2-2 and also saw the Spanish international suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for the majority of the 2024/25 campaign.

Now comes an eagerly anticipated latest clash at the Emirates with the action getting under way at 16.30pm (UK).

City go into the game on back of an excellent few days that have seen Guardiola’s squad first overcome Manchester United 3-0 in impressive fashion in the league derby before then despatching Napoli 2-0 in Thursday’s opening UEFA Champions League clash.

Arsenal meanwhile lie second in the table after a fine domestic start while they too were successful in their first Champions League clash, securing a 2-0 win away at Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday.

As he looked ahead to what promises to be an engrossing clash, the City midfielder – now back in the heart of the Blues’ engine room – acknowledged games between the two had become extra significant affairs.

“I didn’t think it was in the past, but in the last few years we were title competitors, so yes [it is special],” said Rodri, winner of the 2024 Men's Ballon d'Or.

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“Of course, because we had players that played here, [and] have gone to Arsenal. Mikel [Arteta] was here [as part of Guardiola’s backroom staff] and went there and it became a bit bigger.

“We’re in a rhythm right now where they are in a better position and they are at a better level so if we want to keep fighting with them, we have to raise the level, it’s obvious.

“We know that it is the beginning of the season where we will play as much as we can do to regain that level.”

Having started the last two games, Rodri is continuing to build his way back towards full fitness after missing the best part of eight months last term.

Though still carefully managing his return, the holding midfielder says the lessons learnt for the side from what was a challenging campaign last term will only stand City in good stead looking both to Sunday and beyond.

“I’m not close [to full fitness] but I wanted to come back, I wanted to see my teammates again,” Rodri added.

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“I wasn’t part of the team last year, but I was always in the team, and I suffered like them.

“I looked at them and they were suffering and when you suffer on the pitch it’s difficult because you run, you’re a bit lost and you want to win and then things don’t go well, and you feel the pressure.

“It’s not an easy job in this sense but we’re a team and that’s the best thing, when we win, when we lose.

“Last year, they did a massive effort at the end of last season to qualify for the Champions League, and it was like winning a title.

“I’m pretty sure that effort will benefit us in the future and we’re hoping this year will go in a different way.”