Pep Guardiola has a wildcard Rodri replacement to consider ahead of Man City vs Arsenal

Football is never quite as simple as it looks. It's a team game and every action, be they positive or negative, is always in relation to another player. Context is everything and most of the time it's not just one man who makes all the difference. But, then again, the difference between City's displays with and without Rodri make it seem like the simplest thing in the world.

If you needed it any clearer, Manchester City gave it you by putting in an assured, confident and controlled display with Rodri just four days after a frantic, chaotic and uncontrolled defeat against Wolves without him. With his suspension not following him to Europe, the Spaniard returned to the fold for Wednesday's trip to RB Leipzig and the Blues emerged with a 3-1 win.

It wasn't all easy. Pep Guardiola's side were again caught out with a quick counter for an equaliser and it wasn't until the 84th minute that they retook the lead. But it was a much more dominating performance, one that never descended into panicked shots from centre-backs from outside of the box.

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It always felt like the goal was coming as City were constantly getting into dangerous areas, maintaining possession for long stretches and limiting Leipzig's opportunities. Against Wolves they were repeatedly losing the ball after a few passes and getting caught in the transition time and time again.

City actually had the same amount of possession in both matches but made 170 more passes in Germany than they did at Molineux. Rodri had 107 successful passes. Mateo Kovacic made just 48 when he played in Rodri's role against Wolves and though