Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku has acknowledged that the international break arrives at a critical moment for the club, offering the squad a chance to reset after a damaging Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest left their title hopes in serious doubt.

Saturday's loss leaves City six points behind league leaders Arsenal, who strengthened their grip at the top with a 1-0 win over Hull City. What began as a promising season — City won their opening seven matches — has since turned bleak, with Enzo Maresca's side now suffering three consecutive Premier League defeats for the first time in two years.

A slow start that proved fatal

Speaking on the club's official website, Doku pointed to a dismal first-half display as the root of City's downfall against Nottingham Forest.