Manchester United target has stylish response as Gabriel 'stole' his celebration as Arsenal achieve first success in 16 years
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes rubbed salt in Sporting's wounds by mocking superstar Viktor Gyokeres' iconic celebration.
The Brazilian scored the gunners' third in their 5-1 rout of Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The visitors' stunning rout marked the first time Arsenal had scored five goals away from home in the Champions League in 16 years.
Their win also ended Sporting's 18-game unbeaten streak in all competitions and marked the Portuguese club's first defeat at home since March 2024.
It also cemented Arsenal's status as Sporting's unofficial ghost team, as the match marked the seventh time the pair had met.
Since then, Sporting have never beaten the north London team.
Leaving aside the end of some notable unbeaten streaks, it was Gabriel's goal and the subsequent celebration that added more flavor to the clash.
The centre-back headed home from Declan Rice's inviting corner before walking away to celebrate with his team-mates by the corner flag.
It was there that Gabriel intertwined his fingers and covered his face with them, a gesture very familiar to the local public.
He became famous thanks to the Sporting shooter. Gyokereswho has had plenty of opportunities to succeed this season given he has scored 33 goals in just 25 appearances for club and country this season.
Fans on social media couldn't believe Gabriel had the nerve to openly copy Gyokeres' iconic celebration in front of the Sporting faithful.
One fan said on X: “LOOOOOL Gabriel said Gyokeres come get your celebration back.”
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Sportscaster Nubaid Haroon wrote: “No, Gabriel is rude, why are you bothering Gyokeres?”
Another posted: “Gabriel bagged Gyokeres for 45 minutes before scoring a goal and celebrating Gyokeres.”
This fan then stated: “Gabriel Magalhaes hosting the Gyokeres celebration in his own backyard; this guy is a certified threat.”
However, Gyokeres told the Arsenal defender that he can take advantage of his celebration, especially if he can't think of his own.
“Gabriel's celebration? You can steal it if you can't create your own celebration! I didn’t know he did it, but it’s funny that he likes my celebration,” Gyokeres told ViaplayFotboll after the match.
gyokeres, linked to a reunion with Ruben Amorim At Manchester United, he looked a long way from the goal machine he has been this season as Arsenal dominated the first half of the Champions League tie.
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The Gunners took the lead in the seventh minute. Gabriel Martinelli while taking advantage of a low center from Jurrien Timber.
There was a brief VAR review to assess whether Timber had made his run too early, but the Dutchman timed it perfectly with the goal standing.
Arsenal doubled their lead 15 minutes later thanks to Kai Havertz.
Thomas Partey made a perfect pass between several Sporting defenders and got into the path of Bukayo Saka on the right flank.
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Sporting goalkeeper Franco Israel ran out in an attempt to smother the ball, but Saka cheekily put it between his legs and Havertz was on hand to score.
It was the German's 100th goal in his club career.
Gabriel added the third on the stroke of half-time, leaving Sporting with a huge mountain to climb heading into the second half.
Sporting reduced the deficit two minutes into the second half thanks to Gonçalo Inácio, which raised hopes of an improbable comeback.
But Arsenal ended any chance of that happening when Saka scored the visitors' fourth goal.
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Saka coolly scored from the penalty spot after Martin Odegaard was brought down in the area by Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande.
Leandro Trossard added the icing on the cake in the 82nd minute when he headed in the rebound after Israel blocked a strong shot from Mikel Merino just outside the area.
The victory took Arsenal to seventh place in the Champions League table, while Sporting dropped to eighth, although both teams have 10 points.
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