Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has renamed the club’s beloved chocolate Labrador following another agonising Premier League title collapse by his side.
The dog, originally called Win, was brought to the club’s London Colney training ground by Arteta to boost morale among players and staff.
Arteta had carefully selected the animal, believing the Labrador embodied the spirit and character he wanted his squad to represent.
Speaking about the decision to bring the dog in, Arteta said: “I feel like we are a family and we need a dog to represent that family.”
He added: “I carefully chose the dog and in my opinion it’s the perfect representative of who we are right now.”
Arteta continued: “Her name is Win, we all love winning and Win needs a lot of love.”
The Labrador was set to spend most days at the training ground, with a dedicated primary carer assigned to look after her.
Win was notably present at London Colney when goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale signed a contract extension with the club.
However, following a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest, which handed Manchester City yet another Premier League title, the mood around the club shifted dramatically.
That result proved to be the decisive blow in Arsenal’s title race, as City claimed their third consecutive top-flight crown at the expense of Arteta’s men.
In response, the Arsenal boss opted to change the dog’s name to something he felt was far more fitting given the circumstances of the season’s conclusion.
Arteta said: “Bottler is a much more appropriate name,” with the rename quickly capturing the attention and imagination of Arsenal supporters online.
The rebranding of the club’s canine mascot reflects the bitter disappointment felt throughout Arsenal following another near-miss in the title race.
Arsenal fans have reacted with a mixture of amusement and resignation, with many appreciating Arteta’s willingness to acknowledge the painful end to their campaign with a degree of self-awareness.
