Rio Ferdinand, the ex-Manchester United defender, recently suggested that Arsenal’s recent Premier League triumph was primarily due to the physical setbacks suffered by Manchester City midfielder Rodri. Despite Arsenal finishing with 85 points to secure the trophy, Ferdinand believes the outcome would have favored City had their star player remained healthy.
Rodri participated in only 17 of the 38 league matches last season, missing a total of 27 fixtures across all competitions. Ferdinand argued that the team’s reliance on the midfielder is so profound that his regular presence would have undoubtedly propelled them to the top spot. Speaking on his podcast, he noted that the potential loss of both Pep Guardiola and Rodri poses a massive threat to the club’s established dominance.
While Manchester City prepares for a transition under Enzo Maresca, Arsenal is actively strengthening its roster. The Gunners have secured high-profile talent like Bruno Guimaraes to maintain their momentum. Ferdinand remains skeptical about City’s ability to stay competitive without the core figures who anchored their success for nearly a decade.
