Man City give Phil Foden and Rodri injury update in new Arsenal Premier League title race twist

Pep Guardiola with Rodri and Phil Foden (Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal 's Premier League title rivals Manchester City are expected to have Rodri and Phil Foden back available for Saturday's visit of Tottenham.

City kickstarted their Premier League campaign with a 4-0 win at Wolves last weekend. Erling Haaland scored a brace, while Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki also found the net.

Pep Guardiola's side managed to record three crucial opening day points even without two of their best players. Rodri and Foden - who have both been integral to City's success in recent years - missed the game at Molineux.

Rodri injured his groin at the Club World Cup in July and was not deemed fit enough to feature against Wolves. The 29-year-old had only just returned to competitive action after missing most of last season with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture . However, it now appears that Rodri is set to return for the clash with Tottenham.

"I just want a consistent Rodri, that's all," Guardiola said in his pre-Spurs press conference on Friday. "I don't have any doubts about his potential or quality. Still, so far, is the best player in the world. The consistency will come with training and games, training and games, week after week - and after that, everything will be fine."

Meanwhile, Foden is expected to return to the City squad after missing the trip to Wolves with an ankle problem. The England international impressed at the Club World Cup, scoring three times and adding one assist in four appearances after a disappointing domestic and European campaign.

"Rodri and Phil in the last game they were out but for just the reason why - a lack of training and rhythm and they didn’t travel to Palermo and the other guys were doing it all through pre-season," Guardiola added, when speaking about both Rodri and Foden's fitness. They were not [ready] for 90 minutes against Wolves but they were ready and of course they are ready for tomorrow."

The fact that City now have Rodri and Foden back available is a real warning to the rest of the Premier League that they mean business this season. After finishing third - their lowest final position in nine years - in 2024/25, City are eager and determined to bounce back and put up more of a fight in the title race.

With Arsenal expected to be up there and challenging once again, Mikel Arteta will not be wanting City to improve and be closer to the top of the table compared to where they were last season. But Foden and Rodri are going to make City better, that's for sure, and that is scary thought, especially after the thrashing at Wolves.