Manchester City midfielder Rodri has aimed criticism at the Premier League’s scheduling after claiming fixture congestion played a major role in City’s failed title pursuit against Arsenal, according to GiveMeSport.

The decisive moment came as Manchester City battled Bournemouth, a match that saw Junior Eli Kroupi open the scoring for Andoni Iraola’s side in the first half. Despite Erling Haaland’s dramatic 94th-minute equaliser, the 1-1 draw was insufficient to keep City within reach of league leaders Arsenal, who subsequently secured the Premier League title.

Fixture congestion and a rejected request

Rodri highlighted the tight turnaround for Manchester City, who had played an FA Cup final just two days before their encounter with Bournemouth. He revealed that the club’s request to move the fixture for additional recovery time had been rejected.

“When you play every three days and then these kind of teams (Bournemouth) have 10 days to rest, it’s a massive difference,” Rodri told Canal+ Sport. “At this level, having this amount of days makes the difference. Today, yeah, we lacked a little bit of energy because we played a final two days ago. The Premier League didn’t want us to rest a little bit more.”

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The midfielder’s frustration was palpable, suggesting the physical toll of a demanding season, exacerbated by the quick succession of high-stakes matches, proved too much. Bournemouth, under Iraola, are known for their intense, high-pressing style, which would have further tested City’s depleted energy reserves.

Arsenal fans hit back at “salty tears”

Rodri’s remarks quickly circulated among Arsenal’s fanbase, who were quick to dismiss his explanation as an excuse for falling short. Social media platforms buzzed with reactions, with many questioning Manchester City’s mentality after a season where they had often been lauded for their resilience.

Arsenal supporters referenced City’s previous “mentality monsters” tag, with one fan remarking, “Salty salty tears…love it.” Another supporter on social media labelled Rodri a “cry baby,” accusing him of consistently complaining about the English FA not granting City’s wishes. Critics also pointed out that Arsenal themselves faced significant fixture congestion throughout the season, including deep runs to the Champions League final and the Carabao Cup final. Midfielder Declan Rice, for instance, accumulated over 4,300 minutes on the pitch this season, underscoring the physical demands placed on top players across all competing clubs.

Ultimately, despite the scheduling grievances, Rodri concluded with a nod to the champions. “At the end, congratulate Arsenal, they were the better team. And we will try the next season,” he conceded to Canal+ Sport, acknowledging Arsenal’s deserved triumph amidst the lingering debate over fixture fairness.

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Sources: www.givemesport.com

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