Arsenal FC have been crowned champions of the 2025/26 Premier League season after Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth on Tuesday, May 19. The result ended Pep Guardiola's hopes of retaining the trophy and handed Mikel Arteta's side their first league title in 22 years.
Rehmann Congratulates Arsenal
Manchester City superfan Tal Rehmann, known for his bottle prank that went viral, has sent a message to Arsenal supporters following the Gunners' triumph. Speaking to Sky Sports, Rehmann insisted he was not planted to troll Arsenal fans but described himself as a traveling supporter. He also claimed that some Arsenal players and fans took his banter too seriously.
"First and foremost, congratulations to Arsenal; you won the league. Well done, and you know it's killing me to say it, but there is no bitterness in me," Rehmann said. "My bottle prank, some of you have taken it in a really good way, which is what banter is about. And I think those of you who have taken it in a negative way need to try and look inside ourselves and understand the word banter."
He added: "I'm a football fan, I travel all over, I wasn't planted. I go home and away, as you've probably seen, these cameras are everywhere. I think somebody said drinking Arsenal tears. Remember, they weren't my words. The lid was still on the bottle, I was just messing about with my son, and before you know it, in three and a half minutes, I've gone viral."
"I Motivated Arsenal" - Rehmann
Tal Rehmann claimed that his bottle gesture on camera helped motivate Arsenal to clinch the Premier League title. He believes the viral moment following Arsenal's defeat to AFC Bournemouth remained in the players' minds throughout the season. "I think I motivated them, and I apologise to anybody that didn't want Arsenal to win the league," he said. "In the dressing room, I saw quite a few, but there was a time when we beat them here, 2-1, let me get that in. You know, the bottles were all over the place again, but they're only getting back because I'm actually in their heads, rent-free. That image will be there for God knows how long."
Arsenal Eye More Silverware
The Gunners will officially lift the Premier League trophy after their final league game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday. The North London club could also still crown the campaign with European glory as they prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest on May 30.
