Manchester City star Rodri.
Rodri has praised Arsenal’s ‘unbelievable’ performance at the Emirates Stadium (Picture: Getty)

Rodri has praised Arsenal’s performance during Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over the Gunners.

Arsenal took the lead in an action-packed encounter at the Emirates Stadium through a Bukayo Saka strike from the edge of the box, before Riyad Mahrez levelled the scoreline with a controversially-awarded penalty midway through the second half. 

Shortly after Mahrez’s equaliser, Arsenal were reduced to 10 men after Gabriel Magalhaes was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Gabriel Jesus. 

City pushed for a winner and were finally rewarded in stoppage time when Rodri found space in the box and calmly slotted past Aaron Ramsdale to steal all three points.

And speaking after the game, the match-winner praised the Gunners’ performance, before explaining how City’s winning mentality helped them pick up a vital victory.

‘You always have two or three games like this in a season. They showed why they are in their position. The way they have grown with Mikel [Arteta] is huge,’ Rodri told BT Sport.

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.
Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead in the first half (Picture: Getty)

‘We know they have more rest than us. They have six days to prepare, we have three games in one week and travel. It is tough sometimes, when you don’t have the physicality. We have to maybe play a bit more easy. 

‘We struggled in the first-half but took control in the second a bit more and do more our game. They did a great game but we showed our champions personality.

‘We have learned from last years that you have to push no matter. We never drop and thought it was possible. I scored a goal. I don’t know what I was doing in there with Laporte also. It was crazy. Three more vital points.’

When asked whether he thought it was the right decision to award a penalty following the tackle from Granit Xhaka on Bernardo Silva, Rodri added: ‘I have no doubt it was a penalty. At first I had doubt in the first action but I get close to the screen and for me it is clear.

‘Small details make a big difference. They made a big mistake with the second yellow for Gabriel. We were clever. We did not have many chances but we were so effective.

‘It is a massive moment. People think we always have to play top level. Sometimes it is impossible. I came back from Covid and was tired last 20 minutes. Joao Cancelo plays all the games. The calendar is a bit crazy in this period.’

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