‘A fantastic four makes us champs’
NATHAN AKE tipped a tablespoon of reality on Arsenal’s title dreams with a sobering reminder that Manchester City are in control of the race.
For all the Gunners’ bluster after surviving their white-knuckle ride in the north London derby, another Blue Moon will rise over English football unless City drop points in their last four games.
And although Ake (top) wasn’t exactly shouting the odds after a fortunate 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest, he declared: “We know if we win the next four, we are champions again.” Pep Guardiola’s side could be four points behind Arsenal by kick-off against Wolves with the Gunners in Saturday’s lunchtime slot against Bournemouth. But Ake insists they can handle the pressure.
Arsenal now need Tottenham to do them a massive favour by laying a booby trap for City’s game in hand next week.
But Ake said: “It’s in our hands, so we’re not depending on what Arsenal do. That’s the difference from last year.
“If we win the next four, we are champions. The only thing we have to do is focus on the next one.”
City players were monitoring Arsenal’s bumpy ride at Tottenham on the bus to Nottingham and Ake admitted: “It would be nice if they dropped some points, but we focus on ourselves.
“Does it help that we’ve been here before? I think so – everyone’s got the experience. It’s so close, but it’s also so far away.
“Every game is going to be a tough one. It felt like people expected us to win against Forest, but it’s never easy.”
Despite missing five months through injury, Kevin De Bruyne is already a contender for the most assists in the Premier
League this season. The Belgian playmaker was not at his best but teed up Josko Gvardiol (celebrating, circle) and Erling Haaland’s goals at Forest. Ake shrugged: “I don’t have to say how important he is for us.
“Every season he shows again the quality he has. He’s been out for five months, but you don’t see that. Straight away, he came back in the form he was in before.”
And Rodri has not lost a City game since a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham in February 2023 – an astonishing run of 70 matches. “It’s an incredible record,” Ake said. “He’s so important for us. He’s got this fight to not lose games.”