Doku Sounds Warning to Arsenal: 'The Title Race Has Begun'

Following Manchester City's convincing 3-0 victory over Chelsea, Jeremy Doku, who scored his first goal since November, issued a bold statement to league leaders Arsenal, asserting that the title race is now officially underway. This comes ahead of their highly anticipated matchup at the Etihad next weekend. Even Pep Guardiola acknowledged that his team is no longer considered the underdog. City's win was a direct result of capitalizing on Arsenal's shocking home loss to Bournemouth on Saturday. The team delivered an impressive second-half performance, narrowing the gap with the leaders to six points and gaining a game in hand before the Gunners' visit to Manchester. Doku expressed his belief in City's chances, stating, 'I would be crazy if I didn't believe. I believe the race is on. We have a big game now; we're going to recover well and look forward to it.' He also mentioned watching Arsenal's loss and realizing the unpredictability of the Premier League. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming game, saying, 'If we win, it's a big punch towards them. If we lose, it's in their hands, and we have to wait for them to lose. But if we win, it's in our hands, and I prefer to have it in my hands.' Guardiola reflected on the recent Carabao Cup final, where City was considered the underdog but went on to win 2-0. Since then, the team has thrashed Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup and closed the gap with Arsenal after their slip-up. Guardiola expressed his respect for Arsenal, acknowledging their quality and the challenges they pose. He stated, 'Beating Arsenal once is so difficult; imagine beating them twice in a few weeks. We have to rest.' The manager also noted that City is growing and becoming more fresh, especially after being eliminated from the Champions League. He emphasized the need for his team to be well-prepared for the upcoming matchup.