Arsenal delivered a dominant performance against Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League, securing a resounding 5-0 victory. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Magalhães in the first half set the tone, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard adding to the tally in the second. However, it wasn’t just the goals that grabbed headlines—Gabriel’s celebration stole the spotlight.

The Celebration Mockery

Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhães celebrated his goal in a way that mimicked Sporting’s star striker Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish forward is known for his unique celebration, covering his mouth with clasped hands. Gabriel tweaked it slightly, placing his hands over his eyes instead. The playful act didn’t go unnoticed, prompting a reaction from Gyökeres post-match.

Gyökeres Responds

Reacting to Gabriel’s imitation, Gyökeres told ViaPlay:
"He’s welcome to steal it if he can’t create his own celebration! I didn’t know he did that, but it’s fun he likes my celebration."

The Swedish forward seemed to take the gesture in stride, treating it as a lighthearted moment despite the heavy defeat.

A Layer of Revenge?

According to Metro, Gabriel’s antics may have been more than just playful banter. They could be seen as revenge for an incident during Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Sporting in March 2023. In that match, Sporting’s Pedro Gonçalves mocked then-Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka by imitating his signature celebration after scoring a crucial equalizer. Sporting ultimately knocked Arsenal out on penalties, a painful memory the Gunners perhaps sought to avenge in this encounter.

Dominance on the Pitch

While the celebration drama added a layer of intrigue, Arsenal’s performance was the true highlight of the night. With a commanding display, the Gunners demonstrated their attacking prowess, leaving Sporting with little room to respond. Gabriel’s cheeky celebration only emphasized Arsenal’s confidence as they march forward in their Champions League campaign.

For Gyökeres and Sporting, it was a night to forget—on and off the pitch