Rodri was surprisingly omitted from the eight-man shortlist for the league's top individual prize when it was revealed, with team-mates Phil Foden and Erling Haaland making the cut.

That is despite the Spaniard playing a key role as City chases an unprecedented fourth straight league title, and three wins from its past three matches will ensure it edges out Arsenal to retain the crown.

Ahead of this weekend's trip to Fulham, where City has a chance to go top of the table before Arsenal faces Manchester United on Monday (AEST), Guardiola said there was no doubt over Rodri's importance.

"He has been one of the best. The nominated players deserve it, other players also deserve it. The winner of the trophy will deserve it, and the ones who don't will too," Guardiola said.

"We know what we think of the importance of him, how magnificent and extraordinary he is as a player. He should not be worried about it.

"When I won [manager of the season], it's because we won. It's because your team won a title, won games. The award is not for me – I didn't play one minute."

Rodri has assisted six goals in his last eight Premier League appearances, including two last week against Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

City has not lost any of its past 47 Premier League games in which the Spaniard has featured, the fourth-longest unbeaten run any player has ever recorded in the competition.

Fulham caused a stir earlier this week when its social media accounts posted a video of some players flying kites during a training session, sparking fears among Arsenal fans that the mid-table side may be 'on the beach'.

Boss Marco Silva, however, insists that is not the case, saying: "They had one moment after training. It's not even a case to be talked about.

"I have been asked, as we say in England, whether the players are going to be on the beach. It's not the case. If my players are a little bit relaxed, I am the first one to put some pressure on them."

City has won its past 15 meetings with Fulham in all competitions. It is the joint-longest winning run any team has ever managed against another in competitive English football history, with theCitizens also having 15-game sequences against Bournemouth and Watford.

Fulham has only won one of its previous 15 home Premier League games against City (five draws, nine defeats), winning 2-1 under Chris Coleman in November 2005.

It has also gone three home games without victory, drawing with Crystal Palace and losing to Newcastle United and Liverpool in what represents its worst run on home soil this season.

With City unbeaten in its past 20 Premier League games (16 wins, four draws), it's difficult to see a surprise taking place this season.