Rodri is back! Midfielder returns to bench for Man City as Pep Guardiola’s side look to leapfrog Arsenal in the Premier League

Rodri is back as Man City welcome crucial midfield return in title race

Sometimes a single name on a teamsheet can change the mood around an entire club. For Manchester City, that name is Rodri. After weeks of uncertainty, careful management and quiet optimism behind the scenes, the Spaniard has finally returned to the matchday squad, taking his place on the bench as Pep Guardiola’s side look to leapfrog Arsenal in the Premier League.

Rodri’s inclusion against Nottingham Forest may seem modest on the surface — he is not starting, after all — but its symbolic value is huge. This is the first time he has been involved since early November, when he featured against Bournemouth. For a team that has learned, sometimes painfully, just how vital he is to their balance and control, his return feels like a turning point.

City arrive at the City Ground knowing exactly what is at stake. Three points would take them above Arsenal and into top spot, even if only temporarily. And while Rodri may not yet be ready to dictate games for 90 minutes, simply having him back in the fold sends a message: City are getting stronger at exactly the right moment.

Pep Guardiola’s side eye Arsenal as title momentum builds

The Premier League table makes for interesting reading heading into Saturday lunchtime. Manchester City sit just two points behind Arsenal, and with the Gunners not kicking off until later in the day, Guardiola’s men have a golden opportunity to apply pressure.

Victory over Forest would see City leapfrog Arsenal at the summit, a psychological boost that should not be underestimated at this stage of the season. Guardiola has always insisted that titles are not won in December or January, but he also understands the importance of momentum — and momentum is something City currently have in abundance.

They arrive in Nottingham on the back of six consecutive wins in all competitions, playing with growing fluency and confidence after a patchy spell earlier in the campaign. The return of Rodri, even in a limited capacity, adds another layer of belief to a side that already looks like it is shifting through the gears.

Rodri’s long road back after serious injury

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To understand why Rodri’s return matters so much, you have to rewind a few months. The midfielder suffered a serious ACL injury in the bruising 2-2 draw with Arsenal last September, a moment that threatened to derail not only his season but City’s rhythm as well.

Rodri is not just another midfielder in Guardiola’s system. He is the system’s anchor, the metronome who keeps everything ticking. Without him, City can still win games — they have proven that time and again — but they often look more vulnerable, more stretched, more human.

His brief cameo in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth last month was his sixth league appearance of the season, a reminder of how disrupted his campaign has been. Since then, City’s medical staff have taken no risks, easing him back with characteristic caution.

Now, finally, he is back among the substitutes. Not rushed. Not forced. Just ready enough to be trusted again.

‘Rodri is much, much better’ – Guardiola offers positive update

Pep Guardiola rarely overstates things when it comes to injuries, particularly with players as important as Rodri. So when he spoke positively about the midfielder’s condition, it carried weight.

Speaking to City’s official media channels ahead of the Forest game, Guardiola said:
“Rodri is much, much better. Available or not, we’ll decide today.”

That short sentence said plenty. It confirmed Rodri’s progress, hinted at his readiness, and underlined the manager’s desire to protect him for the long term rather than chase short-term gains.

Guardiola knows that a fully fit Rodri in March, April and May could be the difference between another title parade and a frustrating near-miss. Saturday is about reintroduction, not reinvention.

Injuries and absences still test City’s depth

While Rodri’s return is a major boost, City are far from injury-free. Guardiola is still without Jeremy Doku, John Stones, Oscar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic, all sidelined with various issues. On top of that, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri are away with Egypt and Algeria respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations.

These absences have forced Guardiola to lean heavily on his squad depth and tactical flexibility. It is a challenge he relishes, but one that has required constant adjustment.

That context makes Rodri’s return even more significant. He does not just add quality — he restores structure, allowing others around him to play with greater freedom and confidence.

Guardiola sticks with winning formula at the City Ground

Despite the temptation to rotate, Guardiola has named an unchanged starting XI from the side that cruised to a 3-0 win over West Ham last weekend. It is a clear show of trust in a group that has earned the right to continue.

Gianluigi Donnarumma starts in goal, shielded by a defence of Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly. In midfield, Nico Gonzalez, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders are tasked with controlling the tempo, while Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki support Erling Haaland in attack.

Rodri’s presence on the bench gives Guardiola options. If City are chasing control late on, he is there. If they need calm in the final stages, he is there. Even if he doesn’t step onto the pitch, his availability changes the dynamic.

Nottingham Forest no easy task despite league position

If City are thinking this will be straightforward, history suggests otherwise. Nottingham Forest beat City at the City Ground last season, courtesy of a late Callum Hudson-Odoi strike — a result that still lingers in the memory.

Forest may be battling near the bottom of the table, but under Sean Dyche they are organised, aggressive and extremely difficult to break down at home. The atmosphere at the City Ground remains one of the most intense in the league, particularly against elite opposition.

Guardiola is well aware of the challenge.
“Last season especially with Nuno, they made an incredible job there,” he said. “It’s always been a tough place to go, for the crowd and especially for the quality they have.”

Forest have won two of their last three home games and will be desperate to pull clear of West Ham after a narrow defeat to Fulham last time out. Motivation will not be an issue.

Rodri’s importance goes beyond minutes played

Whether Rodri plays 10 minutes, 30 minutes or none at all, his return carries weight. Teammates know what he brings. Opponents know what he represents. And Guardiola knows that his side is edging closer to full strength.

There is something reassuring about seeing Rodri pull on a City jacket and take his seat on the bench. It signals that the hardest part of his recovery is behind him and that City’s spine is slowly being rebuilt.

In a title race that could come down to the finest margins, those small shifts can make a huge difference.

A statement opportunity in the Premier League title race

As City step onto the pitch at the City Ground, the narrative is clear. Win, and they go top. Drop points, and Arsenal remain in control of their destiny.

The return of Rodri adds another layer to that story. It is not just about one game, or one afternoon in Nottingham. It is about what lies ahead — the congested fixtures, the Champions League knockouts, the relentless pressure of a title chase.

For now, Rodri is back, Manchester City are rolling, and Pep Guardiola’s side look ready to ask serious questions of Arsenal once again. The season is far from over, but moments like this often feel like the ones that shape how it will be remembered.