Rodri has put Arsenal on notice, declaring that Manchester City are primed to reel in the Gunners in the Premier League title race after Pep Guardiola’s inspired half-time team talk. City midfielder Rodri is adamant that Guardiola’s side have demonstrated they have the measure of Arsenal, and have firmly set their sights on overhauling them.

Arsenal sit nine points clear at the summit of the league and remain overwhelming favourites to clinch the title. However, City defeated Mikel Arteta’s side in the Carabao Cup final to secure the first silverware of the season, and Rodri believes this could deliver a massive psychological blow to the Gunners.

City hold a game in hand over Arsenal, who must also travel to the Etihad on April 19, whilst the Gunners remain in the Champions League as Guardiola’s men have already been eliminated from Europe.

When quizzed on how much their Wembley triumph could impact the title race, Spanish star Rodri said: “A lot, a lot. That’s why I told you it’s a game not only for this title but to show that we can beat them.

“There is still a lot to do and it’s clear we didn’t want to go out of the Champions League. But we went out and now we have to take the positives, we have more time to prepare for the games. So that’s something to take into account – but we also have to celebrate this.”

City have dashed Arsenal’s hopes of a historic quadruple, yet Rodri reveals it is now City who are harbouring their own Treble ambitions.

Having already secured the Carabao Cup and despite their European exit, City face Liverpool in an FA Cup quarter-final and refuse to relinquish their grip on the title dream. Rodri said: “We knew it was a very important game not only because of the title but also because we had to face the best team in the league.

“Now we need to rest, go back to the next round of internationals and come back with the optimism that we still have two more competitions to fight for.”

City also have the benefit of experience when it comes to winning, and Rodri disclosed that Guardiola’s half-time team talk actually settled their nerves, proving to be the decisive factor behind their triumph at Wembley.

The first half ended goalless, but Guardiola outmanoeuvred Arteta after the break as City lifted the trophy, leaving Arsenal once again empty-handed. The Gunners have gone without silverware since their FA Cup victory in 2020, and Rodri observed that Arsenal visibly ran out of steam on the Wembley turf.

Rodri said on Guardiola’s speech: “I think it was a calming talk – we were doing things well and we didn’t have any problems – we were doing well in terms of pressure – it was more a matter of personality wanting to go for the game, not letting them take control.

“I felt like they dropped a bit physically, we detected it and we wanted to go for them. You can tell when you have players who are good in the area and Nico O’Reilly has again shown his potential.”