Jeremy Doku makes huge Premier League title claim ahead of Man City vs Arsenal | Football

Jeremy Doku believes the outcome of next weekend’s summit meeting between Manchester City and Arsenal will decide the destination of the Premier League title.

Pep Guardiola’s side produced a devastating second half display at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and romped to a 3-0 win that will have sent shockwaves through an already worried Gunners camp.

Goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Doku, himself, saw City reduce the gap at the top to six points as they fully capitalised on Arsenal’s shock home loss to Bournemouth 24 hours earlier.

The top two meet at the Etihad next week, little over a month on from City’s convincing Carabao Cup final victory against the north London club.

And with momentum now firmly appearing to be in their favour, City’s Belgium international winger feels there is more riding on next weekend’s game than just three points in the race to the finish line.

Asked if the game in seven days’ time represented a title decider, Doku said: I think so yes.

‘For me, how many games are left? Six or something. I feel like if you win it’s a big punch towards them if you lose this game it’s in their hands and we have to wait for them to lose.

‘If we win it’s in our hands and I prefer to have it in my hands.’

Asked how City would prepare for opponents they already know inside out, he added: ‘First of all recover now and then analyse Arsenal again.

‘Think about what Arsnal are going to be, look at their strengths, look at their weaknesses and just believe.

‘We did it already but they will come with a hunger. They don’t want to just give it to us. We have to go and take it but trust me we will be well prepared.’

Despite Saturday’s setback, Arsenal will travel to Manchester next week in the hope of all but putting the seal on a first title win in 22 years.

Former City defender Micah Richards, however, hinted there will be too much nous and knowhow in the City camp and that extra expierence of having been there and done will prove decisive.

He said: ‘Players can be very nervous. The experienced players will be cool and think they can get back in the race.

‘Marc Guehi has come from Crystal Palace where he won the FA Cup, he’s playing well, scored a big goal today.

‘The difference with this Man City camp is that they have a different level of confidence.

‘Man City can come back into this race at any time because they have got the quality to do that.’