Manchester City star Rodri struck from Arsenal to equalize at the Etihad

Manchester City midfielder Rodri questioned Arsenal’s approach when he visited the Etihad Stadium in March and believes it has played a key role in their title race.

Pep Guardiola’s side secured a fourth successive Premier League title on Sunday with a first-half brace from Phil Foden setting them on their way to a 3-1 win over West Ham on an afternoon in mostly drama free.

The win made Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Everton largely irrelevant, with City finishing the campaign two points clear of their rivals.

While many supporters and pundits would point to the Gunners’ home loss to Aston Villa as the moment that cost them the title, Rodri actually believes it was their much-vaunted draw at the Etihad that they will regret.

Mikel Arteta’s side drew 0-0 at the end of March and frustrated their opponents hugely, although they showed little attacking intent and had just 27 per cent of the ball – their lowest of any game this season .

It was a defensive masterclass, but Rodri believes that if the roles had been reversed, City would have gone on to win and it is that mentality that ultimately separated the two teams.

Asked how City keep winning during an interview with Optus Sport, Rodri pointed to his head and said: “To be honest, I think it’s here (the mind). It’s the mindset.

“Big players are everywhere in the league, everywhere in the clubs.

“Arsenal and they deserve it, they’ve had an incredible season, but I think the difference was here (nods again).

“When they came here, they faced us here 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 I caught her.” At the end, if you give us a point, we’ll win the last seven, eight games, even though it’s so hard. So I think (the win) comes down to mentality.’

Asked if he knew after Arsenal’s draw at the Etihad that City would win the title, Rodri said: “We believed.

“But you believe because you’ve done it, and we know how hard it is to do it. We have to go out on all pitches, the Tottenham game we never won there, so it’s not easy to implement that.

“But every season the manager, the players, find a way to do it. And even me, comparing the first season to when I came here now, you grow a lot in that sense (in terms of mentality).’

MORE: Eddie Howe responds to Arsenal target Bruno Guimaraes by ‘saying goodbye’ to Newcastle fans

MORE: Thierry Henry reveals Arsenal ‘worry’ after Man City win Premier League title

MORE: Mikel Arteta names two key moments that cost Arsenal the title

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.