A Manchester City supporter has gone viral after celebrating a victory over Chelsea by miming drinking from an empty plastic bottle adorned with the Arsenal logo. The footage, captured at Stamford Bridge during City's 3-0 win, has become a symbol of Arsenal's recent collapse in domestic competitions.
Television commentator Conor McNamara suggested the fan was literally "drinking Arsenal tears" as the Premier League title race tightens. The clip quickly spread across social media, capturing the moment City's momentum surged while Arsenal's form plummeted.
Since late March, Arsenal has suffered a series of high-profile setbacks. The Gunners lost the League Cup final to City, exited the FA Cup to second-tier Southampton, and struggled through a narrow Champions League victory against Sporting Lisbon. A recent home loss to 11th-placed Bournemouth further damaged their campaign.
A season of missed opportunities
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the defeat to Bournemouth as a "big punch in the face." He noted that the team failed to cope with momentum shifts during the match.
"We were very far from the standards that we've shown all season," Arteta said. He added that while his players are hurting, they must "take it on the chin" and embrace the remaining challenges.
Statistical provider Opta reported that Arsenal's probability of winning the 2025-26 title dropped from 98 percent to 86.98 percent following their recent string of losses. The club is now facing the possibility of a fourth consecutive runners-up finish.
Manchester City moves within six points of the leaders following their decisive win. Manager Pep Guardiola expressed respect for Arsenal's quality but signaled his intent to capitalize on their recent fragility.
"They have been the best team in this country, in Europe, so far," Guardiola said. He noted the difficulty of facing such a high-quality side but emphasized the need for tactical adjustments.
City currently holds the League Cup and remains a favorite for both the FA Cup and the Premier League title. The two sides are scheduled to meet at the Etihad Stadium in a potential title decider.