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Red-hot Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres didn't take too kindly Gabriel Magalhaes' celebration in Arsenal's 5-1 drubbing of the Portuguese side.
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has expressed displeasure with Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes’ choice of celebration during the Gunners’ emphatic 5-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon in Tuesday’s Champions League clash.
Mikel Arteta’s side delivered a masterclass performance in Lisbon, overwhelming the Portuguese team from the start.
Arsenal opened the scoring early when Gabriel Martinelli tapped in Jurrien Timber’s precise low cross.
Arsenal star man Bukayo Saka was proving too hot to handle, darting behind the Sporting defense and setting up Kai Havertz for a close-range finish.
Gabriel added a third goal just before halftime, his maiden Champions League strike, rising to meet Declan Rice’s corner with a thunderous header.
Sporting momentarily rallied after the break, with Gonçalo Inácio netting a left-footed strike, but Arsenal swiftly reasserted their dominance.
Ousmane Diomande narrowly avoided dismissal for a reckless challenge on Martin Ødegaard, conceding a penalty converted by Saka with a calm spot-kick as Leandro Trossard sealed the rout with a header after Sporting goalkeeper Franco Israel parried Mikel Merino’s fierce long-range effort into his path.
Despite his red-hot form, which includes a hat-trick in Sporting’s previous Champions League match against Manchester City, Gyokeres was effectively neutralized by Arsenal’s defensive pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba.
Adding salt to the wound, Gabriel celebrated his goal by mimicking a signature move associated with Gyokeres, prompting a sharp response from the Swedish striker.
“Gabriel’s celebration? He’s welcome to steal it if he can’t create his own!” Gyokeres quipped, as per Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
“I didn’t know he did that, but it’s fun he likes my celebration.”
The celebration controversy has added intrigue to ongoing rumors linking Gyokeres with a potential move to Arsenal.
Since joining Sporting CP from Coventry City in 2023 for £17 million, the Sweden international has been on a remarkable scoring spree, netting 67 goals in 69 appearances.
With 24 goals already this season, he has cemented his status as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards, reportedly attracting interest from Europe's elite clubs including Arsenal and fellow English side Manchester United.
If Arsenal were to pursue Gyokeres, Tuesday’s clash might serve as a fascinating subplot in a potential future partnership or rivalry between the Swede and Gabriel.
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