Jeremy Doku is aware of it’s powerful for groups to maintain tempo with Manchester Metropolis when they’re firing on all cylinders, as he claimed Pep Guardiola’s crew usually are not specializing in Arsenal’s type.
Metropolis beat Liverpool 3-0 on Sunday to mark Guardiola’s 1,000th recreation in administration in type.
Doku starred, profitable an early penalty, which was missed by Erling Haaland, earlier than curling in a shocking strike within the second half.
The Belgian led Metropolis for pictures (three), pictures on the right track (three), touches within the opposition field (11), possibilities created (three), profitable dribbles (seven) and duels received (11). He has supplied three assists within the Premier League this season, which can also be a team-high.
Metropolis’s victory propelled them into second place, 4 factors behind Arsenal, who drew 2-2 with Sunderland on Saturday. Based on Opta’s supercomputer, the Gunners have a 63.6% likelihood of profitable the title, whereas there’s a 22.9% likelihood of Guardiola’s crew clinching the trophy.
Doku, although, mentioned Metropolis are solely specializing in their very own performances, slightly than regarding themselves with their title rivals.
“We’re simply ourselves,” Doku mentioned, as reported by ESPN.
“Now we have been constructing and we all know that we will nonetheless enhance. The efficiency that we delivered, we’re very completely satisfied [with], however we nonetheless have to enhance each recreation.
“We’re not likely Arsenal, although. What the opposite groups are doing, as a result of on the finish of the day, we all know that it relies upon solely on us.
“We all know that if we’re enjoying nicely, it’s troublesome to face subsequent to us.”
Doku has already registered 9 objective involvements (5 objectives, 4 assists) this season in all competitions. In every of his earlier two seasons at Metropolis, he has recorded 15, whereas tallying six objectives in every of 2023-24 and 2024-25.
The 23-year-old is averaging 0.36 objectives and 0.26 anticipated objectives (xG) per 90 this season, that are excessive marks throughout his Metropolis profession.
“I simply work to have extra of that however I’m not a participant that’s going to take care of a recreation and say ‘you didn’t rating, you didn’t help, you had a nasty recreation’,” Doku added.
“I’m not that sort of participant. A foul recreation is for me if I don’t contact the ball, if I’m not efficient or if I lose numerous balls, that’s a nasty recreation.
“If I didn’t rating as we speak, would I’ve mentioned it is a dangerous recreation? No, I might have mentioned it is a good recreation. That’s how I’m and the way I’m going to be.”