Rodri has set his sights on Arsenal after helping Manchester City bounce back from a difficult week off the field with a rampant performance on it.
The champions were rocked last Monday when they were charged with multiple breaches of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play rules.
That prompted a rallying cry from manager Pep Guardiola and the players duly responded as they powered to a 3-1 win over Aston Villa at the Etihad on Sunday.
The result also put City firmly back in the title picture after last week’s setback at Tottenham by cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top to three points.
Guardiola’s side could now supplant the Gunners by beating at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow night.
Midfielder Rodri , who scored the opening goal against Villa, said: ‘We have a massive chance to be on top of the table but we don’t have to think much in this, just try to be ourselves, show personality in a very difficult stadium and show we can be a better team than them.’
City dominated from the outset against Villa and had numerous chances to add to Rodri’s early header before an Ilkay Gundogan effort and Riyad Mahrez penalty all but wrapped up victory before the break.
‘From the first minute we showed how good we are,’ said Rodri. ‘From the start, even though we changed the tactics a bit, the involvement of the team was unbelievable. We could have scored more goals. We did an amazing first half.
‘We controlled a bit less the second half, but that is sometimes what you have to do to make a step forward. After a defeat it is always good to come back like this in the next game.’
The only bad news for City was a knock for prolific striker Erling Haaland which saw him sit out the second half.
Guardiola is hopeful the problem is not too serious but the Norwegian will be assessed before tomorrow’s game.
SOURCE: metro.co.uk
