Rodri has dealt a brutal blow to Arsenal’s lack of title-winning mentality after Manchester City won a record fourth consecutive Premier League crown.
Pep Guardiola’s side beat West Ham 3-1 on Sunday to secure another title triumph, and Arsenal’s victory over Everton remained purely academic as they finished two points clear.
Spanish midfielder Rodri, who has played an integral role in all four titles won, described the difference between City and Arsenal after the trophy was lifted.
He made reference to the goalless draw between the two title rivals at the Etihad on March 31, with Mikel Arteta’s side set to frustrate City rather than win the match. They enjoyed just 27 percent possession during the contest.
At the time, the result allowed Liverpool to move two points off the top, with City in third, one point behind Arsenal.
Rodri celebrates with the trophy after Manchester City clinched their fourth consecutive title
Manchester City were crowned Premier League champions after beating West Ham on Sunday.
This meant that Arsenal fell short despite their victory over Everton, as they finished two points behind.
But City’s title ultimately shined again as they won all nine of their subsequent league games to overtake Arsenal and Liverpool and reign supreme.
When asked why City are still so hungry for success, Rodri responded optus sport: ‘To be honest, I think he’s here (points to his head). It’s the mentality.
‘(There are) great players throughout the league, in all the clubs.
‘Arsenal also deserves (to win), they had an incredible season, but I think the difference was here (pointing to his head again).
“When they came here, they faced us at the Etihad, I saw them and said: ‘Ah, these guys 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 catch them. In the end, if you give us a point, we will win the last seven or eight games, even if it is very difficult. “So I think (winning the title) comes down to mentality.”
Asked if he believed City would win another title after the goalless draw at the end of March, he added: “We believed. But you believe they did it and we know how difficult it is to do so.
Rodri later said City’s mentality in the title race was stronger than Arsenal’s.
Arsenal celebrate after a goalless draw at the Etihad at the end of March
Declan Rice scores equalizer in Manchester after Arsenal set out to frustrate opponents
Erling Haaland is blocked by William Saliba during the goalless draw on March 31.
“We have to go out to all the fields, the game against Tottenham we had never won there, so it is not easy to implement this.
“But every season, the coach, the players, find a way to do it. Even me, comparing my first season I came here with the current one, you grow a lot in this sense (mental strength).”
Rodri completed half a century of unbeaten Premier League games on Sunday, scoring City’s third after two goals from Phil Foden put them on course for victory.
