Premier League: For Rodri, Manchester City Had a Better Mentality Than Arsenal in the Title Race
Manchester City’s winning mentality throughout the season allowed them to surpass Arsenal in the Premier League, said midfielder Rodri after his team won their fourth consecutive title in the English top flight.
Rodri scored in City’s victory over West Ham United (3-1) at the Etihad on Sunday, securing the title with a two-point lead over Arsenal, who chased them to the last day of an exhilarating season.
City finished with 91 points while Arsenal, with 89 points, had to settle for second place for the second consecutive season despite their 2-1 home win against Everton.
“Very Important to Do the Double”
Asked about what made the difference, Rodri told Optus Sport it was the mentality of the two teams. “Arsenal also deserve praise, they had an incredible season, but I think the difference was here,” said the Spaniard, pointing to his head.
The 27-year-old highlighted Arsenal’s defensive performance at the Etihad in late March, which resulted in a goalless draw, with City’s champions failing to score despite having 72% possession. “They are a team that has shown great organization and adaptability. And we caught up with them (in the title race). In the end, if you give us a point, we will win the last seven or eight games, even if it’s very difficult. I think this shows our mentality.”
City have the chance to win another trophy this season by facing Manchester United in the FA Cup final next weekend. “It’s also very important for us to do the double,” Rodri added.
Arsenal had an “incredible journey” but “it wasn’t enough” to surpass Manchester City, said coach Mikel Arteta on Sunday, convinced that the title will “eventually come” for the Gunners, who defeated Everton for pride (2-1). “First of all, congratulations to Manchester City for winning the Premier League. What they have done since December is incredible,” commented the Spaniard in the post-match press conference.
“We had an incredible journey, every performance indicator was at the highest level we have ever known, and yet it wasn’t enough,” he continued. Arsenal finishes the season with the best defense and 28 victories (a club record), just like Manchester City, the four-time undefeated champions since early December and winners against West Ham on the 38th and final day (3-1).
The title, “they took it from us, and it’s the second season in a row, so there’s only one way to do it: you have to be more determined, more ambitious, you have to have a lot of courage, and push all limits and everything you can,” said Arteta. “I know what we need to do if we want to reach that goal, and not just for one season, but for the future. But we are on the right track and the right path, and I have never seen such rapid progress,” he praised.
Arsenal was tenth in the league when Arteta arrived in December 2019. Under his leadership, the Gunners finished eighth twice, then fifth, before becoming runners-up twice in a row. “In the end, we will win. When? I don’t know, but if we keep pushing and getting so close to the goal, it will eventually happen,” he promised.
“We are all a bit disappointed,” said captain Martin Odegaard earlier from the pitch, addressing the supporters. “We fought so hard for this big dream, we were so close.” The Norwegian attacking midfielder nonetheless said he was “proud” of the fans, his teammates, and the team’s “progress.” “We have changed the club and I think you all believe in us now.”
“What can I say? I feel sorry for all the Arsenal fans. We did our best but it wasn’t enough,” said striker Kai Havertz on TNT Sports. “Maybe in two or three months, we can say it was a great battle. Right now, I feel we deserved more. It wasn’t enough in the end, but we will be back next year,” said the German, who was recruited last summer.
In control of their destiny at the end of the season, Manchester City did not tremble against West Ham (3-1) and thus claimed the title of English champions. It is the fourth consecutive title for Pep Guardiola’s team, very calm at home against the Hammers, who had nothing left to play for. Named Player of the Season in England this week, Phil Foden put the Skyblues on track with two strikes of his own (2nd, 18th), before another player accustomed to important goals, Rodri, consolidated the champions’ lead in the second half (59th).
In the press conference, Pep Guardiola did not want to relive the scenario of the 2021-2022 season. Recall that his team was trailing 2-0 before turning the tide against Aston Villa on the final day (3-2) in the last moments of the match to be crowned champions. The Spanish coach wanted to make a difference as early as possible this Sunday, he confided. It’s done. The message was well received. After just two minutes of play, Phil Foden – the best player of the season – opened the scoring with a magnificent left-footed strike, clearing Areola’s (West Ham) top corner.
The young Englishman did it again a few moments later (18th). Kudus’s reduction of the score (42nd), with a superb overhead kick, did not shake the Skyblues, who remained focused. After returning from the locker room, City continued to suffocate their opponent with their traditional long phases of possession. Symbolically, it was Rodri – Guardiola’s indispensable player – who gave his team breathing space. The title-winning goal. The fourth consecutive one. Unprecedented since the creation of the English championship in 1888.
For the first time since the end of the Wenger era and 20 years after the Gunners’ last title, Arsenal was still in the title race before the final match against Everton. At kickoff, they did not have their fate in their own hands. Mikel Arteta’s men did the job in front of their home crowd by beating the Toffees (2-1).
However, they were in trouble after Gana Gueye’s opening goal from a free kick (40th) helped by a deflection off Declan Rice’s back. Immediately, the Gunners went on the offensive and were rewarded. Japanese full-back Tomiyasu reset the score before the break (43rd). Dominant in the second half, they managed to snatch the win thanks to Havertz late in the game (89th). The victory, however, cannot erase the frustration of an entire fanbase that must settle for second place. As a consolation, Arsenal will play in the Champions League next season.
Outcome, verdict approaching, this Sunday England will know its King after months of fierce battle. While the other four major leagues in Europe have known their champions for weeks, like Inter in Italy – on April 22 – the English have to wait for the 38th and final matchday this Sunday (5 pm). For now, Manchester City holds the reins, but the Skyblues remain within reach of Arsenal’s Gunners. Two points separate the two teams before this crucial weekend, which will surely see tears flow after the final whistle. On one side, those of a champion who achieved their quest. On the other, those of a runner-up who fell just short.
After breaking the curse of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium midweek – a 2-0 win – Manchester City took the lead in the league at the best possible moment. Before Sunday’s decisive day, the Skyblues have a two-point lead over Arsenal and are thus masters of their destiny. Against West Ham, Pep Guardiola’s men know what they need to do: win. If successful, they will be crowned English champions for the fourth consecutive time. A complex feat never achieved since the creation of the English championship in 1888. “No team has won four consecutive titles in the PL, that shows how difficult it is,” said Pep Guardiola. “Otherwise, Liverpool in the 80s, Sir Alex Ferguson in the 90s, Chelsea with Roman Abramovich, José Mourinho, Arsenal with Wenger… they would have done it but they didn’t.”
For the reception of the Hammers, the Catalan coach is without Ederson – suffering from an orbital fracture – but can rely on the unyielding backup of the Brazilian goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega. The latter made a decisive save against Son on Tuesday, which his coach called the title-winning save: “Without his fantastic save, Arsenal would be champions.” Besides the contribution of a solid goalkeeper, the 53-year-old coach has at his disposal his indispensable good-luck charm in Rodri. The Spanish midfielder is unbeaten in over 70 matches in all competitions with his club – excluding extra time and penalty shootouts. This is complemented by the individual talent of Foden – recently named Player of the Season – the magical feet of De Bruyne, and the goal machine Erling Haaland. All signs point to another festive afternoon at the Etihad Stadium in east Manchester.
But Pep Guardiola has calmed things down. “We are in the best position. There is one game left, destiny is in our hands, we need to win one match to be champions. Everyone would like to be in our place, that’s for sure. At the same time, is it going to be easy? Absolutely not,” he said. As in the 2021-2022 season, the Catalan expects a tough match and has a sense of déjà vu: “Like Aston Villa two seasons ago, they [West Ham] have nothing to play for but I know what happened, and it will be the same.
