Overview

• Pep Guardiola said the Ballon d’Or winner is still short of his pre-injury level and that “the knee needs its process.”
• Manchester City will decide close to kickoff after the midfielder felt uncomfortable in training and asked to be substituted around the hour against Napoli.
• Rodri has started back-to-back matches since the international break but says he will be “smart” about minutes and is targeting full sharpness later in the season.
• Martin Zubimendi has held Spain’s holding role during Rodri’s layoff and now anchors Arsenal’s midfield, with Luis de la Fuente calling him the second-best in the world in that position.
• Bernardo Silva underlined Rodri’s importance even below peak, and analysis indicates the midfield duel at the Emirates could strongly shape the game and wider title narrative.