Progress and potential return date for Man City linchpin

A blockbuster Premier League encounter turned on its head after Manchester City saw midfield linchpin Rodri limp off in plenty of discomfort.

City had started their tussle with Arsenal in red-hot form. An Erling Haaland toe-poke handed Pep Guardiola’s side an early lead, and it seemed the perennial Premier League champions were going to make an early-season statement against the team that has come closest to dethroning them in back-to-back years.

But Rodri’s departure set the stage for a Gunners resurgence. A 1-0 deficit soon became a 2-1 lead, and Mikel Arteta’s side came within seconds of claiming what would have been a monstrous win and three points, despite playing the entirety of the second-half with ten men.

It was a performance that would’ve encouraged Arteta, his squad, and a fanbase seemingly in denial over their team’s mastery of a few ‘dark arts’. Arsenal proved themselves to be City’s equals on enemy territory, and their title aspirations have only been emboldened amid speculation regarding the severity of Rodri’s injury.

Here’s the latest on Rodri’s long-term injury and when he could return to action.

Rodri collapsed in a heap and clutched his right knee after attempting to make a front-post run at a corner. He was matched stride-for-stride by Thomas Partey, but the Arsenal midfielder did not make contact with the Spaniard.

Rodri’s knee buckled in the turf and he was shown to be in considerable pain while receiving treatment. The Spaniard was forced off which Guardiola hinted post-match was the first sign of just how serious the injury was.

“Rodri is strong. He leaves the pitch in this action because he felt something, otherwise Rodri stays there,” he said after the chaotic 2-2 draw. Guardiola did not then know the severity, but reports emerged the following day which suggested Rodri had torn his anterior cruciate ligament.

Speaking after the Carabao Cup victory over Watford, he added: “Still we don’t have the definite.

“Will be out for a long time, a while. But there are some opinions that it may be less than we expect.

“Right now I can’t tell you. We’re waiting on the last phone calls from the doctors. What he has and what type of surgery he has to get.

“I expect [we will find out] tomorrow. Tonight, tomorrow we will know it. The club will inform.

“He’s feeling okay, strong. He’s just waiting.”

City have now confirmed Rodri has suffered a…