The image showed Rice alongside Kai Havertz, Eberechi Eze, William Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bukayo Saka — the moment of confirmation captured in north London as the news of Manchester City's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth filtered through.
The reference was impossible to miss. Earlier in the season, in the aftermath of Arsenal's defeat to City at the Etihad Stadium that appeared to swing the title race in Pep Guardiola's favour, Rice had been caught on camera saying to captain Martin Ødegaard "it's not done" — an exchange that became one of the most shared moments of the campaign and a rallying cry that the club quietly adopted as their own.
Arteta had backed Rice's stance publicly at the time.
"It's not done, and we are more confident that we're going to do it. That was the feeling that, probably without them expressing it in the dressing room, I felt immediately, and that was very powerful."
The confirmation came with one game to spare. Monday's 1-0 win over Burnley, settled by Havertz's header from Saka's inswinging corner, had put Arsenal on the brink. Junior Kroupi's goal for Bournemouth in the 39th minute at the Vitality Stadium did the rest. Haaland equalised in stoppage time but one point was not enough for City.
Arsène Wenger featured in an emotional video shared on Arsenal's official channels.
"You did it. Champions go on when others stop. This is your time. Now, go on and enjoy every moment."
Arsenal will lift the trophy on Sunday at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace before turning their attention to the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30 — the chance to complete a Double that would represent the greatest season in the club's 139-year history.