Rodri sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday, initial tests have indicated, and may miss the rest of the season, handing the champions a serious blow in their push to win a fifth successive Premier League crown.

The 28-year-old was forced off after 21 minutes of the game at the Etihad Stadium, having gone down under minimal contact following a challenge by Thomas Partey inside the Arsenal area, but in clear agony. City await further tests but fear the worst in regards to the availability of one of Pep Guardiola’s most important and influential players.

As the manager said in March of the midfielder he rates as the best No 6 in the world: “He is irreplaceable right now.”

Guardiola has struggled to find a deputy for Rodri. Kalvin Phillips was signed from Leeds in July 2022 to offer competition but was ultimately judged not to be of the requisite standard and is now on loan at Ipswich. Mateo Kovacic, who replaced Rodri against Arsenal, is trusted by Guardiola but the Croatian is a different profile of player and, as such, City would have to adjust how they set up if he is to step in long term. Ilkay Gündogan and Rico Lewis are other potential options to play at the base of City’s midfield.

Rodri was suspended for three games towards the start of last season and City lost them all. Their only defeat in regulation time during the campaign with him in the side came against Manchester United in the FA Cup final in May. He was named player of the tournament as Spain won Euro 2024 in the summer and is a contender to win the men’s Ballon d’Or next month after being named on the award’s shortlist.