Rodri Insists Title Fight Far From Over After Man City Drop Ground to Arsenal

Rodri has refused to panic following Manchester City's frustrating stalemate with Chelsea, though the Citizens' grip on the Premier League title has slipped considerably.

Enzo Fernandez struck in the dying moments of Sunday's clash at the Etihad to earn Chelsea a 1-1 draw, wiping out Tijjani Reijnder's first-half advantage. The result marks City's second successive league draw, allowing Arsenal to extend their advantage to six points after Saturday's 3-2 victory over Bournemouth.

Yet the Spanish midfielder remains bullish about City's prospects. "There is still a long way," Rodri insisted post-match, calling on his teammates to "keep going" despite the setback.

The midfielder's assessment of the contest was one of missed opportunity tinged with frustration. "We created enough chances to win the game three or four nil, but this is football," he reflected. "If you don't take your chances with nothing they just draw the game. So we have to learn from this."

Reijnder's opening period was dominant, with City's first-half display sufficiently incisive to have yielded multiple goals. The second period, however, told a different story. "First half was brilliant, enough to score three or four goals," Rodri explained. "In the second half we forgot a little bit how to play and they got control of the game, losing easy balls."

Squad depth proved a complicating factor, with defensive absences disrupting City's rhythm. "It unbalances the team every single time a player goes out injured but of course the team has to adjust," Rodri noted. "It is not an excuse, we have enough talented players to play but in the second half we lose face a bit."

With Brighton awaiting at home next, City must rediscover their cutting edge. "We have to win," Rodri stated plainly. "We know that this season is going to be long so we have to keep going and going."

The midfielder's perspective has been shaped by his recent return from a lengthy injury layoff. "For me it is a gift," he said. "What I have been through has been terrible for me so winning, drawing, losing for me right now everything is a gift."

His recovery remains a work in progress. "I went through the process of where you have to adjust the body in terms of the muscle. I feel strong. I need the rhythm of the games but for the moment of the season we are in and where I came from I feel good."

Shay Given, the former Premier League goalkeeper, believes City's recent stumble could prove decisive. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he highlighted the significance of dropping four points across the festive period. "Man City dropping four points in the last two games is huge at this time of the season," Given remarked.

The pundit acknowledged Chelsea's impressive second-half showing, particularly given their managerial vacancy. "It's a brilliant result for Chelsea, with no manager. And a brilliant result and week for Arsenal, who are now six points clear," he observed.

Given also noted the toll City's injury crisis is taking. Both centre-halves departed the clash, with Rodri visibly tiring as the match wore on. "Their squad's quite stretched at the minute, which people might laugh at because of the money they've spent, but if you look at the bench today there were a lot of kids given the injuries and absentees they have," he said.

Ultimately, Given felt the outcome reflected the balance of play. "On the whole it was probably a fair result and you've got to give credit to Chelsea's second half performance as they were so much better than they were in the first."