Compare that to the three games he has been unavailable in the league due to suspension, with the champions losing all of them in his absence. It shows how key keeping Rodri fit will be for making a recovery and challenging for the title this season, following a difficult start.

That’s where concern would’ve creeped in on Friday as the Club World Cup final played out against Fluminense, with the midfielder receiving a heavy challenge. He was eventually subbed off for Manuel Akanji, but having held his knee as he made his way off, there were ominous signs.

Fortunately for City, it appears as though their star man will be fine as he told Sky Sports: “I was very lucky today, to be honest. I think it was one of the worst tackles they did in my career, it was so scary because I felt my knee, but fortunately it was nothing.

“I was saying to the player, you cannot do these kinds of actions, but today I won more than a trophy, I go home safe but to be honest, I was very close to crying because I was feeling very, very worried about what happened. But it’s nothing… I’ve had pain because it was very dramatic the way it goes but nothing affecting [playing the next game vs Everton].”

It remains to be seen the exact outcome of the challenge, but it appears as though the player will be fine going forwards and will continue City’s title charge. Meanwhile, their inclusion in the Club World Cup could hand Arsenal a boost anyway, due to their recent postponement of games.

The Gunners have a chance to move even further clear at the top on Saturday, but will have to do so against a tough Liverpool outfit that will be looking to leapfrog the challengers.

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