Gabriel copied Viktor Gyokeres’ celebration after scoring Arsenal’s third goal against Sporting CP (Getty)
Gabriel Magalhaes pulled out Viktor Gyokeres’ celebration after scoring in Arsenal’s Champions League 5-1 win against Sporting CP on Tuesday night.
Gabriel Martinelli gave Mikel Arteta’s side an early lead in the seventh minute in Lisbon before Kai Havertz doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 22nd minute.
Arsenal were three in front by half time as an unmarked Gabriel headed home Declan Rice’s excellent corner.
The Brazilian defender celebrated by locking his fingers and putting his hands in front of his eyes in the same manner as Gyokeres when he finds the net for Sporting.
Many were left confused by Gabriel’s celebration but it appears the Arsenal defender was getting his own back following Sporting’s victory at the Emirates Stadium in March last year.
Gabriel Magalhaes headed home from Declan Rice’s excellent corner (AFP via Getty)
Viktor Gyokeres failed to find the net against Arsenal (Getty)
Granit Xhaka had put Arsenal ahead in the second leg of their Europa League round-of-16 tie before Pedro Goncalves equalised to force extra time and a penalty shootout.
Sporting then emerged victorious in the shootout to dump Arsenal out of the Europa League and secure their place in the quarter final.
Granit Xhaka’s celebration after scoring against Sporting CP in the Europa League last year (Getty)
Pedro Goncalves copied Granit Xhaka’s celebration after Sporting beat Arsenal in a penalty shootout at the Emirates Stadium (MB Media/Getty)
During Sporting’s celebrations after winning the shootout, Pedro Goncalves was spotted mimicking Xhaka’s celebration in front of the travelling fans inside the Emirates Stadium.
But it was Arsenal who finished with the bragging rights on Tuesday night as Arteta’s side continued their excellent performance after Gabriel’s goal on the stroke of half time.
Gonçalo Inacio pulled a goal back early in the second half for Sporting but Arsenal’s quality showed and Bukayo Saka scored his side’s fourth from the penalty spot.
Leandro Trossard, who came on as a second half substitute, netted from close range with eight minutes remaining to seal the Gunners’ 5-1 victory.
The win lifts Arsenal into seventh in the Champions League table, which would secure them an automatic spot in the knockout phase.
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