Rodri predicts ‘tough’ Premier League title battle for Manchester City as he expects Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa to push them to the wire… as Treble-winning Spaniard completes whole year unbeaten for his club

Rodri believes Manchester City face a tough task to repeat last season’s Treble heroics with Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa all well-equipped to take them on.

The Spanish midfielder – who has proved himself invaluable to Pep Guardiola – this week completed an unbeaten year of 52 matches when he was playing for City.

During that time, Rodri helped them win the Premier League title, the FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

But with City currently two points behind Liverpool and level with Arsenal in the Premier League title race, Rodri acknowledged a repeat performance is a tall order.

‘Since I arrived, every year has been tougher,’ he told the Daily Mirror.

Rodri enjoyed an exceptional undefeated year with Manchester City, winning five trophies 

Helping City claim their first Champions League success was a highlight for the Spaniard

‘I think this year we have two more contenders for the title or even three if you want to add Villa. It’s even harder when you have more opponents.

‘I don’t expect it will be decided in one month’s time. I think it will go to the last game. But we will be ready for that.

‘I knew Liverpool would come back, Liverpool with [Jurgen] Klopp and the players they had all these years. Of course it was a new cycle for them, all those players leaving but you see the way they play. It’s the same.

‘They changed the players but they play the same and I expect them to be there.

‘We all see what Arsenal are able to do. They beat Liverpool in a very good way. It’s a team that last year, they almost did everything perfect. Almost.

‘They are doing great, so they will be there as well.’

Rodri even name-checked Villa, who sit five points off the top in fourth, and Tottenham in fifth as potential title challengers.

City’s win over Brentford on Monday night saw Rodri make it a calendar year unbeaten

Rodri believes current Premier League leaders Liverpool will push City all the way this season

Last season it was Arsenal setting a ferocious pace before their collapse in form during the Spring allowed City through to compete the first leg of their Treble.

Guardiola’s side remain on course in the FA Cup, where they travel to Luton Town in the fifth round on February 27, and in the Champions League, where Danish side Copenhagen await them in the last-16.

City host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

Rodri’s sensational 52-week and 52-game unbeaten run started after Tottenham beat City 1-0 on February 5 last year. In that time, they have won 42 matches and drawn the other 10.

Arsenal fans would point out that they defeated City on penalties in the FA Community Shield back in August but statisticians count that as a draw over 90 minutes.

The City star also won the UEFA Nations League with Spain to cap an exceptional 12 months

The only other disappointment Rodri has suffered was Spain’s 2-0 defeat to Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying last March.

But he did also help Spain win the UEFA Nations League in that time.  

In the seven matches City played without their talismanic midfielder, they lost five of them.