This may take some time to happen to avoid (Dubai) losing face, but it will happen. The name, as suggested in the GN article, can easily be a "United Emirates". Etihad means "united".
Dubai always took the lead because they were more ambitious and marketing oriented and Abu Dhabi (always) lagged behind in having their own airline. Now they do, not 1 but 2.
The UAE flag painted on the tails "says it all" wherever they go. They can either get rid of EY's "royal bird" or painted elsewhere on a smaller scale.
As I said above, the flag is already on the aircraft tails, the ICAO code is UAE, the IATA can be "disputed" between EK and EY and the radio-callsign is Emirates. Me thinks...
The worst will be the management head-picking and consequent bloodshed.