Arsenal-themed water bottles were spotted on sale outside the Etihad Stadium ahead of the highly anticipated Manchester City vs Arsenal clash, adding a fresh layer to an already heated rivalry on and off the pitch.
The branded bottles, styled in Arsenal colours, were widely seen as mocking the North London club and quickly triggered online reactions, especially after City’s 2-1 win in the decisive encounter.
The match itself delivered on its billing as a potential title decider. Manchester City began strongly, dominating possession and pressing high from the kickoff.
Their early pressure paid off with a well-worked opener that put Arsenal on the back foot. The Gunners responded and levelled before halftime, briefly shifting momentum. But City’s control and experience told in the second half as they punished a defensive lapse to score the winner and secure a 2-1 victory that tightened the title race.
Man City fan Tal Rehman reveals all about that viral clip from the Stamford Bridge yesterday ?? pic.twitter.com/K2dP0eA7Wn
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) April 13, 2026
Off the pitch, the spectacle was just as loud. Fans arriving at the stadium encountered vendors selling the now-viral Arsenal-themed water bottles, a cheeky reference to a moment already circulating widely online.
The trend stems from City supporter Tal Rehman, who went viral on April 12 during City’s 3-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. In the clip, Rehman was seen jokingly drinking from a bottle he called “Arsenal tears,” sparking widespread amusement among fans.
Rehman later said the bottle had originally come from an Arsenal staff member during a previous match when he and his son asked for water.
“This time last year, when we played Arsenal at the Etihad, we sat close to the Arsenal bench. My son and I asked for a drink because we needed one,” he explained. “When we went 3-0 up, I thought, ‘showtime, baby.’ So out came the bottle.”
After the viral moment, some City supporters appeared to escalate the joke by commercialising it, selling similarly branded bottles ahead of the Arsenal fixture.
Images of the merchandise spread quickly online, drawing mixed reactions ranging from humour to frustration, particularly from Arsenal fans.
The trolling comes at a difficult point in Arsenal’s season.
Once viewed as strong contenders across multiple competitions, their campaign has dipped following a Carabao Cup final loss and an FA Cup quarterfinal exit. With yesterday’s defeat, pressure continues to mount both on the pitch and increasingly in the stands.
