Rodri out for the season: Seven times injuries made the Premier League title race more interesting

Manchester City got 66 Premier League minutes out of Rodri before his knee gave up on him. The Spaniard is out for the season and that will have a big impact on the title race, with Arsenal and Liverpool looking to end City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola.

This is not the first time a key player has suffered an injury that has impacted the title race. Including Rodri and a Man City teammate, here are seven examples.

Rodri – Manchester City (2024/25)
There is no denying that Rodri’s season-ending injury will greatly impact the 2024/25 Premier League title race. Manchester City will no doubt find their groove at the stage of the season they always do but it could be too late by then if Pep Guardiola doesn’t quickly mastermind how to live without his key Spanish midfield general.

Rodri, not Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bruyne, is City’s most important player. Their record without him is nowhere near as imperious as it is with him, as emphasised last season when unavailable through suspension.

An early-season red card saw him miss trips to Wolves and Arsenal, both of which the Citizens lost. Another ban saw him miss a tough test at Aston Villa, which the Citizens again lost. It’s concerning for City, sure, but thankfully they do have the best manager in the world there to find a fix.

No club will be celebrating injuries to a rival player but Arsenal will be licking their lips at the prospect of a Rodri-less Man City. As will Liverpool, whose start to the season suggests they intend to be alongside City and Arsenal for the ride.