Arsenal fans have figured out the reason behind Gabriel mimicking Viktor Gyökeres’ celebration during the clash with Sporting.
Arsenal fans believe they’ve uncovered the reason behind defender Gabriel Magalhaes imitating the signature celebration of Sporting striker Viktor Gyökeres.
On Tuesday night, Matchday 5 of the Champions League saw Europe’s elite in action. Arsenal visited Lisbon to face Sporting at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, the former club of Manchester United’s new manager, Ruben Amorim.
Gabriel extended Arsenal’s lead to 3-0 shortly before halftime and marked the moment by replicating Gyökeres’ celebration. Fans on social media platform X speculated that this gesture was a response to a moment from 2018 when Sporting mocked former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka’s celebration.
Six years ago, the two sides faced off in the Europa League. After Xhaka’s goal in the second leg gave Arsenal the lead, Sporting’s Pedro Gonçalves equalized, leading to a 1-1 draw in London and a penalty shootout. Sporting triumphed after their goalkeeper, Antonio Adán, saved Gabriel Martinelli’s spot-kick. Gonçalves celebrated the victory by mimicking Xhaka’s earlier celebration with Sporting’s traveling fans.
Gabriel’s gesture appears to be a playful nod to this history, as Arsenal fans connected the dots between the events.
