Mikel Arteta has dropped a bombshell on Arsenal fans by revealing he doesn’t drink wine, despite being the face of one of the club’s most enduring vino-related memes.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash with Crystal Palace, the Spaniard was asked if and how he’ll celebrate his upcoming fifth anniversary as the main man in the Gunners’ dugout. His response caught many off guard.
“I don’t drink wine!” he told reporters. “But yes it will be a special day. Obviously, five years in this job, especially the size of the club that we are is a big thing, so very grateful.”
“I wouldn’t have a celebration but probably I will reflect on it, have some memories and look through some pictures and comments and a few moments that we have spent together. Recall it and value it because it’s quite a long time.
For supporters, the revelation will come as a shock given Arteta fronted a campaign for _Santa Rita_ – a Chilean winery that [once partnered with the club](https://www.arsenal.com/news/celebrating-five-years-arsenal-x-120-santa-rita).
The origin of the meme dates back to 2020, when Arteta appeared in [a video message to fans](https://www.arsenal.com/news/santa-rita-sharing-moments-mikel), celebrating the team’s FA Cup win from that summer. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, fans couldn’t attend the final at Wembley in person, so Arteta, holding a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, gave a heartfelt toast to the fans watching from home, saying, “Cheers”.
Since then, a screenshot of that moment has become a popular meme among supporters, who use it to toast the team’s successes and mock their rivals’ failures.
Over time, the image has taken on a life of its own, becoming an integral part of the club’s online culture and a go-to reaction for the fanbase.
After drawing two of the last three games, we suspect the only way Arteta will want to celebrate Thursday’s anniversary is with two wins over Palace in the space of a few days. The manager is expecting a challenging encounter when the Eagles visit the Emirates.
“Very tough,” was his assessment of Oliver Glasner’s side. “When you look at the last results and the approach that they have, the quality of the individuals that they have, how they are coached as well.
“It’s always really tough, it’s another layer of difficulty as well when you play a team twice in four days, so we have prepared for that.”