City were held to a 1–1 draw by Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, a result that marked Pep Guardiola's team's second successive league stalemate.

The outcome leaves the reigning champions second in the table, six points adrift of Arsenal, who sit top after a dramatic 3–2 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday.

Tijjani Reijnders had given City the lead in the first half, capping a period of sustained pressure with a composed finish that appeared to put the hosts on course for a crucial three points.

However, Chelsea refused to fold and were rewarded deep into second-half injury time when Enzo Fernández struck an equaliser to snatch a late point for the visitors. Fernández's goal cancelled out Reijnders' opener and ensured City were unable to capitalise on Arsenal's demanding schedule.

In the aftermath, Rodri addressed the title picture and issued a message to Arsenal and his own team-mates alike. While acknowledging the frustration of dropping points, the Spanish international urged calm and perspective.

"It's frustrating of course but at the end of the day it is what it is. We created enough chances to win the game three or four nil, but this is football," said Rodri.

"If you don't take your chances with nothing they just draw the game. So we have to learn from this. There is still a long way and we just need to focus on the next games.

"First half was brilliant, enough to score three or four goals. In the second half we forgot a little bit how to play and they got control of the game, losing easy balls.

"Sometimes when you defend, defend, defend, they did not have much but they get a draw. There's still a long way to go.

"It unbalances the team every single time a player goes out [injured] but of course the team has to adjust. It is not an excuse, we have enough talented players to play but in the second half we lose face a bit.

"We move on, we have the next game against Brighton at home and we have to win. We know that this season is going to be long so we have to keep going and going."

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