Pep Guardiola laments Rodri absence after Arsenal defeat
Pep Guardiola has admitted that Rodri's absence was a factor in Manchester City's defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The 27-year-old served the final Game of his three- Game suspension on Sunday, having been given a straight red during recent 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in September. Without their talismanic holding midfielder in their last three domestic Game s, Man City have actually suffered their first three defeat s of the season to Newcastle United, Wolves and Arsenal respectively in both the Carabao Cup and the Premier League . The Premier League defeat to Arsenal was the most damaging of the three suffered in quick succession, with City dropping down to third in the league table heading into the international break as a result. Speaking after the game to Sky Sports and BBC Sport after the game, manager Guardiola admitted that Rodri's absence was felt in the loss on Sunday: “Rodri is an important player but he is not there for the reason everyone k...