Viktor Gyokeres responds as Gabriel celebration revenge explained after Arsenal thrash Sporting | OneFootball

Gunners thrash Portuguese giants on quiet night for Sweden star

Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has responded to Gabriel Magalhaes appearing to copy his celebration during Arsenal’s huge Champions League victory on Tuesday night.

Swedish striker Gyokeres has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium after a stunning spell with the Lisbon giants, scoring an impressive 67 goals in 69 games.

Gabriel of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammates

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Only Robert Lewandowski (7) has scored more Champions League goals this season (5) than the 26-year-old but he was kept quiet by the Gunners on a miserable evening for the hosts.

Insult appeared to have been added to injury when Gabriel seemingly mimicked the celebration Gyokeres generally uses when the centre-back bagged Arsenal’s third, powering in a header following a Declan Rice corner on the stroke of half-time.

The Brazilian, who later went off injured towards the closing stages of the game, then ran towards the corner flag and put his hands across his eyes while locking his fingers, something Gyokeres tends to do after scoring.

Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League

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Of the celebration, Gyokeres 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.”

Still, all may not be as it seems.

According to The Metro, Gabriel was merely getting his own back after Sporting midfielder Pedro Goncalves mimicked former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka’s celebration in 2023.

After the Portuguese side knocked the Gunners out on penalties in the Europa League round of 16 in March of that year, Goncalves appeared to have copied Xhaka’s celebration by putting his thumb on his nose and extending his hand out, just like the Swiss tends to do when scoring.