When Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku scored his team’s third goal in the comprehensive win over Chelsea on Sunday, he raised his fingers to the heavens to thank heaven for a vital victory in English football’s Premier League. But the winger’s actions paled in comparison to one emotional City fan’s bizarre celebration, which quickly turned into a viral social media meme.
As Doku was joined by cheering teammates near the Chelsea goal, television cameras panned towards the traveling fans at Stamford Bridge, where a now famously animated City supporter punched the air, produced an empty plastic bottle emblazoned with the Arsenal logo, and mimicked a celebratory sip.
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This left City supporters roaring with laughter and the audience wondering whether Arsenal had once again “bottled” it, an obvious dig at Arsenal’s dramatic decline over the past few weeks.
Since March 22, the Gunners have lost to City in the English League Cup final, been knocked out of the Football Association (FA) Challenge Cup by Southampton, narrowly lost in the UEFA Champions League against Sporting Lisbon, and lost to 11th-placed Bournemouth in the Premier League.
As away fans cheered, TV commentator Conor McNamara wondered whether the bottle-hitting supporter was “drinking Arsenal’s tears” and said: “Manchester City (are) hoping Arsenal can slip away in this title race.”
The clip went viral on social media within minutes and concerned fans were later seen watching replays in disbelief.
Manager Pep Guardiola’s Man City are now six points behind leaders Arsenal – who have lost three consecutive games in the local competition – having revitalized the title race.
“History tells us that when the spring sun comes out, Arsenal sometimes wither, but Manchester City often blossom and bloom right up to that closing stretch,” McNamara said, rubbing salt into the wounds of Arsenal fans by highlighting their familiar late-season fragility and City’s continued race-raising rise.
Two contrasting results in the space of just over 24 hours in London have left British music icon Liam Gallagher very happy.
The frontman of rock band Oasis and lifelong City supporter decided to poke fun at Arsenal with a clip of their Manchester rivals following the London club like a shadow.
‘Punch in the face’ as quadruple hopes get a blow
It may seem like another lifetime ago for Arsenal fans, with the Gunners beating Everton 2–0 at home on 14 March and still challenging for the trophy on four fronts.
The club and its supporters basked in the excitement of the “quadruple season”. However, things quickly deteriorated as Arsenal suffered a 2–0 defeat to City in the League Cup final and a quarter-final defeat to second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup.
The late 1-0 win over Sporting in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg seemed to be steadying the ship, but Saturday’s performance against Bournemouth could turn believers into doubters.
A costly home defeat to Bournemouth has forced Arsenal fans to question whether the team can finally end their 22-year wait for an English title, or whether they will be content with a fourth consecutive runner-up finish.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said after their latest defeat, “We were far from the standards we have shown all season, so it’s a big blow in the face because we wanted to win this game very badly.”
“We couldn’t face those situations when they didn’t go our way.”
The Spanish manager, who previously worked as Guardiola’s assistant at City, said his players were hurting but they needed to “take it on the chin” and “accept the challenge” ahead.
At one stage this season, statistics provider Opta gave Arsenal a 98 per cent chance of winning the 2025–26 title, but recent results have reduced this to 86.98 per cent.
These figures could change drastically on Sunday, as the top two teams face each other at the Etihad Stadium in a potential title decider.
His fate is now as much in Manchester City’s hands as it is his own.
A domestic treble for Man City?
There will be pep in their step when City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, knowing that a win could boost momentum from the south of England to the north as an intriguing title race approaches its finish line.
After suffering only three defeats in their opening 49 matches of the season in all competitions, Arsenal have lost three of their last four, increasing the pressure on the visitors.
However, Guardiola – who has guided City to six of their 10 league titles – is mindful of the threat posed by Arsenal despite their recent setbacks.
“I have respect for Arsenal, what they’ve done over the last few years,” he said after City’s win over Chelsea.
“I know the manager, the players, the quality, how they compete in every situation, that’s our biggest task. There’s a tactical issue; maybe we’ll adjust something,” Guardiola said.
“They’ve been the best team in this country, in Europe, by far. It’s very difficult to beat Arsenal once; imagine beating them twice in a few weeks.
“I would like to say to our fans: respect Arsenal very much, they are an extraordinary team. Come to join us from the first minute because the players will perform to the maximum.”
Guardiola’s call for calm has done little to quell talk of a “domestic treble” for the Sky Blues.
With one trophy – the League Cup – at stake, City are favorites to win the FA Cup and could still win their 11th league trophy.
As Arteta’s Arsenal look to end their Premier League trophy drought, experts believe the players and manager face a test of their mental and emotional strength at the decisive stage of the campaign.
Former player and TV pundit Gary Neville believes the Gunners must “balance the emotions” as they look to cross the border.
“We know the build-up to next week’s game, what the story is going to be against Arsenal – that Man City is going to catch you, and there’s a feeling of joy in seeing Arsenal collapse,” the former Man United captain said on Neville’s podcast.
“They have to try to swim against the current and keep their spirits up.”
