GUNNER BOTTLE IT: PADDY POWER DELIVERS AN 18FT BOTTLE TO ARSENAL FOLLOWING TITLE RACE COLLAPSE

Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester City wednesday night has put the title race firmly in their opponent’s hands, so bookmaker Paddy Power has captured the spirit of the Gunners’ bottling it in the only way it knows how – by plonking a giant bottle of plonk outside the Emirates Stadium.

The 18ft inflatable bottle of ‘brut-al’ champagne pokes fun at Arsenal’s surrendering of a commanding eight-point lead in the Premier League, joking that the title of ‘Biggest bottlers in North London’ may well sit with Mikel Arteta’s side…at least for now.

Fan reaction suggests that the Gunners have picked up the ‘Bottle Job’ mantle from their arch nemesis and cross-town rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with the not-so-flattering term linked with Spurs for…well, ever?

The giant installation stands at almost 5.5m high – that’s the equivalent height of 27 cans of Arteta’s hairspray.

The well-known Irish bookmaker also buddied up with leading brewers BrewDog to create a limited edition run of beer, launching bespoke bottles of IPA (It’s Proper Arsenal).

Complete with the ‘North London, bottled’ tagline, the special beer may or may not contain the tears of Arsenal fans.

Rachael Kane, spokesperson for Paddy Power, said: “Bottling is an act normally reserved for the Gunners’ North London neighbours, but a run of four wins without a game might now put Arsenal on a par with the 2015/16 Spurs side that managed to finish third in a two-horse race. Quite an achievement!”

Commenting on the partnership with Paddy Power, BrewDog Chief Marketing Officer, Lauren Carrol, added: “This sensational bottling act has been brewing for a while, so we are delighted to be able to team up with Paddy Power to create bespoke bottles of IPA, although it might prove hard to swallow for some.”