“Rodri eats his words: Man City’s reaction to draw raises questions about his Arsenal mentality criticism.”

Arsenal have now drawn in consecutive seasons away to Manchester City at the Etihad, something which most clubs would celebrate.

However, Arsenal’s point on Sunday was one shrouded in disappointment – Mikel Arteta and his side were moments away from a famous win.

Riccardo Calafiori scored a stunning strike on his first Arsenal start and Gabriel Magalhaes scored a trademark thumping header – a lead then jeopardised by Leandro Trossard’s decision-making.

Arsenal eventually succumbed to Man City’s pressure moments before the full-time whistle, drawing the game 2-2.

Unlike last season, Arsenal weren’t content with a draw, they came to Manchester to win.

Arsenal were criticised for celebrating a draw, now Rodri has to eat his words

Arriving at the Etihad whilst locked in a title-race with Man City last season, Arsenal settled for a draw, and celebrated their clear improvement on the road.

Rodri, who has been a star for City in recent years, was one of many who criticised that ‘mentality’, lamenting Arsenal’s delight at securing a goalless draw.

Of course, whilst Pep Guardiola’s side certainly weren’t playing to draw Sunday’s game, they did celebrate John Stones’ late goal like it was a winner, a moment which had the stadium in raptures.

Rodri suggested that Arsenal were wrong to celebrate a draw last season, and yet City were delighted to finish the game 2-2 against 10-men – a sign of the Gunners’ progress if nothing else.

Of course, Rodri himself was injured in Sunday’s match, perhaps one of the reasons Arsenal were able to take control of the game prior to Leandro Trossard’s red card.

Rodri injury could be a significant moment in the title-race

Martin Odegaard will be a significant loss to Arsenal over the coming weeks and perhaps even months, his creativity will be missed even more in some ‘winnable’ home ties to come.

But if Rodri has suffered a long-term injury as first feared, his injury could be even more impactful for City – a significant moment in the title-race.

Rodri arguably deserves to win the next Ballon d’Or, a player the whole Arsenal side will admire even if his comments may have left a sour taste last season.

That being said, all Arsenal can do now is focus on themselves, with four home fixtures to come before the next international break.

And Wednesday’s visit from Bolton will be an opportune time to give the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly a start, two players brimming with talent.