Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres responds to Gabriel Magalhaes celebration after Arsenal win

Gabriel Magalhaes celebrated similarly to how Viktor Gyokeres does after scoring Arsenal’s third goal in their 5-1 Champions League win in Lisbon against Sporting

Viktor Gyokeres was asked about how Gabriel Magalhaes celebrated scoring after Sporting’s 5-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League

Viktor Gyokeres has addressed Gabriel Magalhaes copying his goal celebration after scoring for Arsenal in their 5-1 win over Sporting.

Gabriel extended the Gunners’ lead to three in first-half stoppage time and celebrated by interlocking his fingers before covering his eyes with his hands. The gesture is almost identical to what Gyokeres does after scoring, albeit the Sporting striker covers his mouth to make a mask.

Not only did Gabriel score, but he and the Arsenal defence also prevented Gyokeres from doing so for just the seventh time this season. The centre-forward has scored 33 times in 26 games for club and country over the last four months.

After the match, Viaplay asked Gyokeres about Gabriel’s celebration, with the Sweden international remarking: “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 that he likes my celebration.”

Gabriel shared a photo of the celebration on Instagram afterwards but did not mention it in the accompanying caption: “Amazing energy from the team and our supporters!! On to the next!!”

It is not the first time that Arsenal and Sporting players have copied each other’s celebrations, though. After the second leg of their Europa League first knockout round tie in March last year, Pedro Goncalves mocked Granit Xhaka ‘s goal celebration after the Portuguese club knocked the Gunners out of the competition after winning a penalty shootout.

The former Arsenal midfielder opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium that night, celebrating by putting his hand on his nose and wiggling his fingers, a message to his daughter. Goncalves then equalised from barely inside the Arsenal half, taking the tie to extra time and, ultimately, penalties.

After the shootout, the one-time Wolverhampton Wanderers player copied the celebration while in front of the away fans after their victory. Gabriel played the full 90 minutes in that match, but Gyokeres would not join Sporting until months later.

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