Rodri expects Arsenal and Liverpool to push Pep Guardiola’s team to their limit as they aim to win an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title this season
Rodri has delivered an ominous message to Manchester City’s biggest rivals by insisting that the squad remain hungrier than ever as they aim to win an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title.
But the Spain midfield star believes Pep Guardiola ’s men will face a stiff challenge from both Arsenal and Liverpool this season.
Rodri says City are braced to be pushed to their limits by Mikel Arteta ’s Gunners and Liverpool under their new boss Arne Slot.
“It’s the main character of this team, the hunger to win every year and go again,” Rodri said at Tuesday night’s PFA awards.
“You never know but Arsenal have shown they have risen to the level until the limit and for us to push ourselves. Before it was Liverpool, now it is Arsenal. You never know but it seems these two teams will fight again.
“But we don’t want to focus on them, we want to focus on ourselves and do even better than last season.”
Phil Foden was crowned PFA player of the year at the awards bash and found himself joined in the team of last season by team-mates Kyle Walker, Erling Haaland and Rodri.
But Arsenal, who finished runners up, went one better with five of their players in the side – goalkeeper David Raya, centre backs Gabriel and William Saliba, plus midfield players Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins made up the remaining spots.
And Foden said: “To win this award is something very special and it is one that I am very proud of and grateful for.
“To be recognised this way by your fellow professionals means everything and I would like to thank everyone who voted for me.
“I also want to pay special thanks to Pep, the City coaches and all my team=mates as they help me to try and get better every single day.
“I’d also like to congratulate Kyle, Rodri and Erling on being voted into the PFA Team of the Year as it’s great to see their amazing quality recognised in such a way.
“Last season was another very special one for everyone at the club but now all our focus is concentrated on trying to achieve more success this term.”
Premier League Team of the Year: Raya (Arsenal); Walker (Man City), Gabriel, Saiba (both Arsenal), Van Dijk (Liverpool); Rodri (Man City), Rice, Odegaard (both Arsenal); Foden, Haaland (both Man City), Watkins (Aston Villa).