Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits John Stones is unlikely to make Sunday's trip to Arsenal.
Stones was named in England's squad yesterday.
But Guardiola says: "John Stones is ready to play; maybe for England but not for us."
Asked about Rodri's continued absence due to suspension, the manager also said: "We will talk with the staff today, analyse tomorrow. We are preparing tomorrow. Rodri is one of the two or three best holding midfielders in the world it is normal it is big that he is not in the team.
"He is not there. We've moved forward with absences over many years. We will play without him on Sunday."
On Arsenal being a direct title rival, he added: "Absolutely, among Liverpool. To analyse contenders, the idea is the first 10 games. We haven't played 10; we have to wait but big clubs are always be contenders.
"In this month, the Champions League is the most important thing by far, until February it starts again. You can focus on the Premier League until it is back again. We made a big step on Wednesday [win at Leipzig], now we have Arsenal, the biggest rival last season."