Chris Sutton believes Rodri has sent a message to Arsenal after Manchester City pipped them to the Premier League title.
Arsenal missed out on their first title in 20 years by just two points on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s side took care of business on their end with a 2-1 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
Unfortunately for the Gunners, Manchester City proved to be typically unrelenting and reeled off nine wins on the bounce to scoop their fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Following the celebrations at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Rodri claimed there is a difference in ‘mentality’ between Arsenal and City at the moment.
READ MORE: Chris Sutton thinks £45m Arsenal midfielder has ‘looked a bit off’ this season
What Rodri said about Arsenal
The Spaniard told Optus Sport: “To be honest, I think it’s in here [pointing to his head]. It’s the mentality.
“Arsenal, also they deserve [to win the league], they did an unbelievable season, but I think the difference was in here [pointing to his head again].
“When they came here, they faced us at the Etihad, I saw them and said: ‘Ah, these guys, they don’t want to beat us, they just want a draw.’
“And that mentality, I don’t think we would do it the same way. And we caught them. At the end, if you give us one point, we will win the last seven, eight games even though it’s so tough. So I think it comes down to mentality.”
Sutton reacts to Rodri’s comments on Arsenal
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sutton labelled Rodri’s assessment of Arsenal as ‘fascinating’ and believes the £63 million midfielder sent his rivals a strong message.
“I think what Rodri said is fascinating,” the pundit said. “It is very hard to dispute any of it because they are an elite team. And, I know that you can look at other Arsenal games this season and they have been brilliant since Christmas.
“The fact that they did have a blip and Manchester City have this confidence year on and year out that they can finish strongly. They actually expect to do it.
“That’s a little message to Arsenal as well. If you want to get to our level, then maybe, you have to be braver. But that’s you are talking tiny, tiny margins there, aren’t you? Most of us are looking at it reasonably and thinking, blimey, Arsenal have made progress, and Rodri and Manchester City players are looking at that as a bit of a weakness.”
It was interesting to hear Rodri label Arsenal’s mentality as the difference between the two sides this season.
The Gunners have improved dramatically on that front and finished the season in strong form, unlike last term.
You could argue that Arsenal couldn’t have done much more having picked up maximum points in every Premier League game barring two in 2024.
Nevertheless, Arteta’s side may be kicking themselves over the home defeat to Aston Villa last month.