Image source: football365.com
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has sent a defiant message to Premier League title rivals Arsenal after the Citizens dropped further points in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, insisting there is still a long way to go in the championship race despite falling six points behind the Gunners.
Rodri Remains Defiant Despite Man City Falling Six Points Behind Arsenal
Enzo Fernandez scored a goal in second-half injury time for Chelsea as they grabbed a late point against Man City on Sunday, with the equaliser cancelling out Tijjani Reijnder’s first-half opener. The result means second-placed Man City have drawn their second successive Premier League match and now trail leaders Arsenal by six points after the Gunners beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday.
Rodri expressed frustration at his side’s failure to convert their chances but remained optimistic about the title race. “It’s frustrating of course but at the end of the day it is what it is. We created enough chances to win the game three or four nil, but this is football,” the midfielder said after the match. “If you don’t take your chances with nothing they just draw the game. So we have to learn from this. There is still a long way and we just need to focus on the next games.”
The Spanish international praised City’s first-half performance but admitted his team lost control after the break. “First half was brilliant, enough to score three or four goals. In the second half we forgot a little bit how to play and they got control of the game, losing easy balls,” Rodri explained. “Sometimes when you defend, defend, defend, they did not have much but they get a draw. There’s still a long way to go.”
Rodri also reflected on his return from long-term injury, describing playing football again as “a gift” following what he called a “terrible” period out of the game. “What I have been through has been terrible for me so winning, drawing, losing for me right now everything is a gift,” he said. “To play, have the joy of the game and recover the smile, and the rest will come, the victories, the successes for the team. Right now it’s about staying fit and enjoying football.”
Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given believes Man City dropping four points over the festive period could prove “huge” for the title race. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Given said: “Man City dropping four points in the last two games is huge at this time of the season. We always say Christmas and New Year, with such a busy schedule, is so important and it’s not been a great festive period for Manchester City.”
