Gabriel Magalhaes scored for Arsenal against Sporting
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has been branded “disrespectful” by club legend Freddie Ljungberg after copying Viktor Gyokeres’ celebration.
The Gunners picked up one of their most impressive wins of the season by thrashing Sporting Lisbon 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard secured three points which moved Arsenal up to seventh in the Champions League.
Gabriel made it 3-0 by converting from Declan Rice’s corner just before half-time and celebrated by adopting Sporting star Gyokeres’ trademark celebration. As he ran over to the cameras, the Brazilian put both his hands over his face, like a mask – a gesture which Ljungberg felt was an unnecessary dig at his Swedish compatriot.
“I’m not a fan of it,” Ljungberg said on Viaplay. “Of course, he must have had a lot of talk about playing against Gyokeres and whether he would be able to do it. Then his point in showing that he can handle it is quite simple.
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“But I think it’s a bit disrespectful. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I don’t think it’s necessary. I think someone else has that target gesture, leave it alone. I don’t like to see it.”
Sweden head coach Lars Lagerback added: “You can always discuss ethics and morality but I don’t think it’s particularly serious. But you can only take a little. There is probably some irony behind it, one hopes, and not just rudeness.”
Although upset after being handed a first defeat of the season, Gyokeres himself didn’t appear to be too bothered. He said: “Gabriel’s celebration? 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 Magalhaes attempted Viktor Gyokeres' celebration
While it was a brilliant night for Arsenal in Lisbon, it ended in disappointment for Gabriel himself after he was forced off with an injury. Mikel Arteta was forced to replace the 26-year-old centre-back with Jakob Kiwior in the 84th minute after he reported a problem.
"We had to make the change because he was feeling some discomfort,” Arteta said. “I was about to make the change for Raz [Raheem Sterling], poor thing, I couldn't make the sub. We had to get him out."
Arsenal will be desperate to have Gabriel back fit and available for their Premier League game against West Ham on Saturday. He has three goals in 18 appearances across all competitions this season and his partnership with William Saliba is crucial to the dynamic at the back. For the time being he is a doubt for the fixture and joins fellow defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the treatment room.
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