Nathan Ake has no problem with Manchester City playing poacher as the Premier League title race continues with Arsenal heading for a thrilling final.
City returned the favor of the Gunners with a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest where goals from Josep Guardiola and Erling Haaland closed the gap at the top with a game in hand.
It could be back to four points by the time Wolves play Pep Guardiola next Saturday evening as Arsenal are in action against Bournemouth earlier in the day.
Chasing can often add to the pressure, but City know that if they win their remaining four games they will be crowned champions for a fourth consecutive season.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” Ake said. “It’s in our hands so we’re not dependent on what they do.
“That’s the difference from last year, we were still dependent on what they were doing.
“This season is in our hands. We know that if we win the next four, we are champions. We just have to focus on one thing.
“I think everyone has experience but in the end experience doesn’t matter.
“It’s about now, what do we do now. It’s going well at the moment but we know what we have to do at the end – win four games and we can be champions again.
It would be easier said than done for City if their performance at the City Ground was anything to go by as they were reliant on some form of finishing from Forest to secure the three points – which Guardiola strangely pitched for. was admitted
With games against Wolves, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham coming up, Netherlands international Ake knows it’s not done yet.
“It’s so close but it’s also so far,” he said. “I think every game is going to be tough.
“It felt like people expected us to win today but these types of games are never easy.
“Next week we have another one which will be tough and the only thing we can do is game by game. I know it sounds cliché but it’s the only thing I can do.”
Defeat leaves Nottingham Forest deep in the relegation mire, although they could get some of their points deducted this week when they hear the outcome of their appeal.
Forest’s injury problems worsened after Nico Williams, Murillo and Willie Boley all picked up knocks.
Nuno Espirito Santo said: “Let’s evaluate them. Neco, Murillo and Boly – we have a lot to evaluate.
“Hopefully it’s nothing serious and we can count on them for the next one, because it’s important.”
Credit : www.independent.co.uk
