Rodri Warns Arsenal: Premier League Title Race ‘Not Easy’

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has issued a warning to Arsenal, insisting that the Premier League title run-in ‘is not easy’ after City’s FA Cup triumph over Chelsea at Wembley.

City secured their second trophy of the season on Saturday as Antoine Semenyo’s audacious backheel sealed a 1-0 victory, adding to their Carabao Cup success against Arsenal in March.

The win provided Pep Guardiola’s side with a confidence boost ahead of a tense final week in the Premier League.

Currently two points behind Arsenal with two games remaining, City will look to keep the pressure on. Arsenal host Burnley on Monday, where a win would extend their lead to five points.

City respond on Tuesday with a trip to Bournemouth, aiming to take the title race to the final day.

On May 24, the season concludes with Arsenal traveling to Crystal Palace while City welcome Aston Villa to the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking after lifting the FA Cup, Rodri emphasized the difficulty of closing out a title race. ‘Yeah, it’s a confidence boost [winning the FA Cup] but we don’t lose our calm, still two games to play, they are massive and they are very, very tough,’ he said.

Rodri added: ‘Everything can happen, it’s just we need them [Arsenal] to drop points, it can happen in the next game or in the last game. But if I was in their position it is not easy to finish the task. We have to be there pushing until the end.’

Recalling City’s dramatic 2022 title decider, Rodri noted: ‘From our experience we were losing the title against Aston Villa at our home in minute 80. So everything can happen in football. We know how difficult it is to close things and we know how difficult it is to beat everyone in this Premier League.’