Rodri: Pep Guardiola confirms Manchester City midfielder to miss rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery

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Manchester City midfielder Rodri will miss the rest of the season following surgery on his right knee. The Spaniard limped out of City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal and speaking ahead of the club's next Premier League outing against Newcastle, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, manager Pep Guardiola said his player has had surgery and his campaign is "over".

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Manchester City's Rodri has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a knee injury that he picked up against Arsenal.

The news is a significant blow to City's Premier League title defence, with the midfielder playing a starring role in his side's fortunes over the past few seasons - most notably their historic treble in the 2022/23 campaign, in which he scored the winner in the UEFA Champions League final against Inter.

"He had surgery this morning - ACL and some meniscus," Guardiola said in his press conference on Friday.

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"So, next season he will be here. This season is over.

"Unfortunately we got the worst [news] but that is what happened, we will be there to support him and move forward step by step.

"What he gives us, we don’t have a similar player. But the others can all together replace what Rodri has given since his arrival to us. We will have to do it as a team and find a way to play a lot of matches without an important player for us."

"We are stronger with him and stronger with [Nathan] Ake and [Oscar] Bobb and Kevin [De Bruyne], but that is what it is. We don't want it but it is football.

"As a club we have magnificent players and we will find a solution."

Rodri was helped off the pitch in the first half of City's 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, in just his second appearance since a post-season break after leading Spain to Euro 2024 glory in Germany.

The midfielder earned the accolade of Euro 2024 player of the tournament, and is hotly-tipped as runner-up for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, behind Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior.

Guardiola said on Wednesday that the Spain star is "irreplaceable".

"We don’t want this, but we will still have a good season," he said on Wednesday. "I trust a lot in my players, I have a duty to find a solution.

“Rodri is irreplaceable and the team won’t play with the best midfielder in the world for a long, long time. Of course, it’s a big, big blow for us."

The 28-year-old is joined on the sidelines by fellow key midfielder De Bruyne, while Guardiola has also been forced to contend with the absences of defender Ake as well as academy graduate Bobb.

Due to Rodri's importance for City, the Premier League title race could now open up with Arsenal following hot on the heels of the current title-holders, while Liverpool have also enjoyed a strong start to the season under new manager Arne Slot.

Mateo Kovacic is the most likely candidate to fill the hole left by Rodri, but there remains concerns over the Croatian midfielder's ability to control matches like his team-mate. Kalvin Phillips - currently on loan at Ipswich Town - is another holding midfielder within the City ranks.

Guardiola's solution to Rodri's absence will be first exhibited as the Premier League champions head to St James' Park to face Newcastle United live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Saturday.

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