Man City feel like they have a January cheat code amid injury gloom

Manchester City will not want to get carried away by Rodri's return but his start to 2026 has been outstanding

Rodri's value at Manchester City went up even further last season when the team fell apart without him. Somehow, and inexplicably, it has gone up again after they recovered to learn how to challenge for the Premier League title without him.

It is grossly unfair on Nico Gonzalez, who found his feet in September and has spearheaded City's charge in the Premier League and Champions League. The Spaniard, asked to play a role that isn't his most natural, found his groove and became one of City's most important players; as Pep Guardiola said recently, they could not have achieved what they have in the last months without him.

In his unfortunate absence through injury since half-time in the Sunderland game, Rodri has returned and been a revelation. The manager said that he showed in 45 minutes at the Stadium of Light that he is the best in his position, and the first 45 against Chelsea were even better.

No player on the pitch won more duels (six) or created more chances (three) in that half, with City getting somebody who can do it all from the holding midfield role. That continued to the end, with Rodri the one player looked to after conceding the late equaliser to try and concoct a late winner.

Despite the dropped points, it said a lot for Rodri's expertise that a player as good as Cole Palmer was completely bamboozled by him with the former City youngster floundering after losing possession to the Spaniard late on, and resorting to fouling him as his only way to get the ball back.

Having tried and failed to see him back properly on a number of occasions this season, City know they have to be cautious with Rodri. It is far too soon to be talking about him being ready to take on the burden of conducting City for the next five months, and injuries suffered to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol make things even more difficult for the team.

It is impossible for City not to be hugely encouraged though - and for Rodri not to be delighted after being slandered ever since he beat Vinicius to the Ballon d'Or - by his start to 2026. Two appearances, two games where he has looked the best player on the pitch.

City have already made moves to strengthen the squad by winning the race for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, and he will undoubtedly add competition for places in all competitions; he may even win them some matches. That contribution will be dwarfed however if Rodri can play in the games the Blues want him to be fit for.

Amid a growing injury list, having Rodri come in and look so good in these two games has felt like a cheat code unlocked for City. Add Gonzalez back into the mix assuming his injury isn't too serious and City's midfield suddenly becomes a lot more formidable.

Whether it will be enough to beat Arsenal - or indeed Aston Villa - remains to be seen, but everything will feel more manageable with Rodri back.