Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said the club would look to find the next Rodri following the midfielder’s ​departure to Barcelona, insisting City had repeatedly shown an ability to ‌replace key players.

Rodri, 30, ended a seven-year spell at ​City on August 18, bringing to a close a ⁠trophy-laden stay that included four Premier League titles, the Champions League and two FA Cups.

“I’ll try to find a new Rodri – it is ‌what it is,” Maresca told reporters on Saturday (August 22, 2026), a day ahead of City’s Premier League opener against ‌Bournemouth.

“Rodri, before he arrived here, he didn’t win the ‌Ballon ⁠d’Or, he didn’t win the Champions League, he didn’t ⁠win the Club World Cup. Then he joined the club and then he achieved many important things.” Maresca said.

“Now the target for us is to try to ​find the new Rodri.”

Maresca ‌acknowledged the Spain international would be difficult to replace but said City’s recruitment history gave him confidence that a successor could emerge.

“When David Silva was here, everyone was worried – Kevin (De ‌Bruyne) arrived. When Sergio Aguero was here, everyone was ​worried – Erling (Haaland) arrived. When Fernandinho left, Rodri arrived. It’s just about this,” he said.

“When they leave, you ⁠need to be good and recruit the next one.”

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner and a member of Spain’s European Championship-winning ‌team, further enhanced his reputation by captaining his country to World Cup glory last month and being named player of the tournament.

His departure is among several notable changes during the close season as City continue to reshape their squad.

Maresca said he expected further transfer activity before the window closes but ‌remained relaxed despite reports linking Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez with moves away.

“We ​need to adapt and we don’t want to keep players here that don’t want to stay. The ⁠normal thing in transfer windows is that you have to wait ⁠because all the clubs try to keep players until the last week and then sell for more money,” ‌he said.

“It’s normal. I’m not worried about that. When the transfer window closes and we have the squad ​there, for sure it will be different.” Maresca said.

Arsenal ​ended their 22-year wait to win the Premier League title on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) when they were confirmed ‌as champions following second-placed Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.

Leaders for almost ​the entire season, Mikel Arteta’s side are now four points clear with ⁠one game remaining and Sunday’s clash at Crystal Palace will now be a coronation.

Arsenal had beaten Burnley 1-0 on Monday, meaning City had to win on the south coast to extend the race to ‌the final day.

But City trailed to Eli Junior Kroupi’s first-half goal and Erling Haaland’s stoppage time reply was too late for the visitors, who are reportedly ‌set to say goodbye to manager Pep Guardiola at the end of the ‌season ⁠after a glittering decade.

Arsenal had been dubbed the nearly men under Arteta after ⁠finishing runners-up in the previous three seasons.

But they have finally got over the line, delivering the club’s 14th English title, behind only Manchester United and Liverpool who share the record with 20.

It is Arsenal’s first title ​since 2003-04 when Arsene Wenger’s side went ‌through the season unbeaten and their first major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup in Arteta’s first season after taking over from Unai Emery.

A memorable campaign could get even better for Arsenal as they face Paris St Germain in the Champions League final ‌in Budapest on May 30, bidding to win the trophy for the first ​time. Do that and Arteta’s team will go down as one of the greatest in the club’s 140-year history.

Celebrations in North London

Arsenal’s triumph sparked ⁠huge celebrations in North London and even at 10 Downing Street where Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a keen Gunners fan, posted on X: “22 long years for Arsenal. But finally we’re back ‌where we belong.”

Arteta, at 44 the youngest Arsenal manager to win the English top-flight title, said the previous day that he would be Bournemouth’s “biggest fan” for a couple of hours on Tuesday.

Fittingly the title was delivered with the help of close friend Andoni Iraola whose Bournemouth side held City.

Arteta’s sentiments would have been echoed by Arsenal fans watching the game in pubs and bars before descending en masse to the Emirates Stadium for a party ‌that was set to go on late into the night.

Minutes after the final whistle at Bournemouth, large crowds ​of Arsenal fans were gathering, many with red flares.

The first-team squad and staff had gathered at the club’s training ground, north of London, with videos ⁠posted of wild celebrations as the final whistle at Bournemouth confirmed the title was in the ⁠bag.

Arsenal’s success has been built on the fierce intensity, defensive discipline and attention to detail instilled by the innovative Arteta, who has revamped the club culture on ‌and off the field.

Even when they were knocked off the top of the table by Manchester City in April after 200 days in first place, Arsenal’s belief never ​wavered and they can now enjoy their triumph after a gripping title race.