When Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku scored his team’s third goal in a comprehensive victory over Chelsea on Sunday, he raised his finger to the sky and thanked the heavens for an important victory in English football’s Premier League. But the winger’s actions paled in comparison to the unique celebration from an emotional City fan that quickly became a social media meme.
As Doc joined his jubilant team-mates near Chelsea’s goal, TV cameras panned to the fans at Stamford Bridge, where the now famously animated City supporters threw punches in the air, pulled out empty plastic bottles emblazoned with the Arsenal logo, and mimed celebrating.
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This caused City supporters to burst into laughter, clearly digging into Arsenal’s dramatic stumbling blocks over the past few weeks and leaving viewers wondering if Arsenal had ‘made it’ again.
Since March 22, the Gunners have lost the English League Cup final to City, been eliminated by Southampton in the Football Association Challenge Cup, narrowly missed out on Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League and lost at home to 11th-placed Bournemouth in the Premier League.
As the away fans rejoiced, TV commentator Conor McNamara wondered if supporters holding bottles were “drinking Arsenal’s tears” and said: “Manchester City want Arsenal to lose this title race.”
The clip went viral on social media within minutes, with the fan in question seen watching the replay in disbelief.
Man City, coached by Josep Guardiola, are within six points of leaders Arsenal, who have lost three games in a row in local competitions, and the title race has been reignited.
“History tells us that Arsenal sometimes wilt when the spring sun comes out, but Manchester City blooms and blooms again and again in the closing stages,” McNamara said, adding salt to the wounds of Arsenal fans by exposing the familiar late-season fragility and City’s relentless surge.
Two contrasting results in just over 24 hours in London have brought great joy to British music icon Liam Gallagher.
The frontman of rock band Oasis and lifelong City supporter decided to poke fun at Arsenal with a clip of the London club being shadowed by their Manchester rivals.
“Punch in the face” hits the expectations of four people
It may seem like a different life for Arsenal fans, but on March 14th the Gunners were still challenging for trophies on four fronts, beating Everton 2-0 at home.
The club and supporters were immersed in the excitement of a “quadruple season”. However, things quickly deteriorated as Arsenal lost 2-0 to City in the League Cup final and suffered a shock defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
A last-gasp 1-0 win away at Sporting in the Champions League quarter-final first leg seemed to have stabilized things, but Saturday’s performance against Bournemouth could turn believers into doubters.
The heavy defeat at home to Bournemouth left Arsenal fans wondering whether their team could finally end their 22-year wait for an English title, or whether they are doomed to a fourth successive runners-up finish.
“We are far from the standard we have shown all season. This is a big punch in the face because we wanted to win this game,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said after the latest defeat.
“We couldn’t handle a situation that didn’t go our way.”
The Spaniard, who previously worked as assistant to Guardiola at City, said his players were in pain but needed to “put their jaws on” and “accept the challenges” that lay ahead.
At one stage this season, statistics provider Opta estimated Arsenal had a 98 per cent chance of winning the 2025-26 title, but recent results have seen that chance drop to 86.98 per cent.
That number could change significantly on Sunday as the top two teams meet at the Etihad Stadium for a potential title decider.
Their fate is now as much in Manchester City’s hands as it is in their own.
Man City’s domestic treble?
When City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, they are taking a step forward, knowing that victory could swing the momentum from the south of England to the north as the exciting title race approaches the finish line.
Arsenal have lost just three of their opening 49 games this season, but have lost three of their last four, increasing the pressure on the visiting team.
But Guardiola, who led City to six of their 10 league titles, remains wary of the threat Arsenal pose despite recent missteps.
After City’s win over Chelsea, he said: “I salute Arsenal, what they’ve done over the last few years.”
“We know the manager, the players, the quality, how they play in every situation. That is our biggest task. There are tactical issues. Maybe we will adjust something,” Guardiola said.
“So far they are the best team in this country, in Europe. It’s very difficult to beat Arsenal once. Imagine beating them twice in a few weeks.”
“I would like to say to the fans: have a lot of respect for Arsenal. They are an extraordinary team. The players will give their maximum effort, so be with them from the start.”
Manager Guardiola’s call for calm did not have the effect of dispelling rumors of the Sky Blues winning the domestic treble.
With one trophy to their name, the League Cup, City are favorites to win the FA Cup and could still claim an 11th league trophy.
As Arteta’s Arsenal look to end their Premier League trophy drought, experts believe players and managers will be tested for their mental and emotional strength during a crucial period of the season.
Former player and TV pundit Gary Neville believes the Gunners need to “balance their emotions” when crossing the line.
“We know how things are going to go for next week’s game, we know how it’s going to go against Arsenal. We know that Man City are going to catch up and we’re going to be happy to see Arsenal collapse,” the former Man United captain said on Neville’s podcast.
“They have to swim against the current and be brave.”
