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Jeremy Doku has issued a stern warning to Arsenal, insisting Manchester City are not ready to relinquish their Premier League crown despite a major setback in the title race.
The Belgian winger proved to be the savior for Pep Guardiola’s side in Monday’s draw against Everton, but the result has left the defending champions with a mountain to climb in the final weeks of the season.
Doku saves a point, but City lose ground
City’s hopes of securing another Premier League title suffered a significant blow on Monday when they were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw by Everton.
Despite the frustrating result at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Doku emerged as the outstanding player, scoring two goals including a late equalizer to prevent an even more damaging defeat.
The draw means Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal now sit five points clear at the summit, putting the Gunners in pole position to end their 20-year wait for a league title.
However, Doku is adamant that the race is far from over and that City have the stomach for the fight when the season enters its final stretch.
Despite Arsenal’s lead
Speaking after the stalemate, Doku did not hide his disappointment but was quick to send a message of defiance to the north London side.
“It hurts, of course it hurts,” Doku said. “We know how important it is to win these kinds of games, we didn’t give up and we’re not going to give up. There are still some games, we’re going to fight to the end and at the end we’ll count the points.”
The Belgium international was a rare bright spark on a night where City’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, but he believes the team’s mentality will be the deciding factor. He added: “[We are] disappointed, but it’s not over, we won’t give up.”
A grueling schedule awaits Guardiola’s men
The road to a potential comeback will not be easy as City currently navigate a crowded fixture list.
Pep Guardiola’s side must manage five games in just 16 days to close the campaign, starting with a home clash against Brentford at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday.
This run will test the team’s depth as they pursue silverware on multiple fronts.
“There are a lot of games, we have a busy schedule and we are going to look ahead,” noted Doku when discussing the challenges ahead.
Double trophy hunting remains a priority
As well as the Premier League, City are still in the hunt for the FA Cup, with a final against Chelsea scheduled for May 16.
Doku emphasized that the team’s experience in high-pressure situations will be crucial for their recovery.
“We are still in two tournaments and we have a final to play. We will recover well,” explained the winger. “Mentally we have all been in this position, we are used to playing every three days, the most important thing is to recover mentally and physically.”
