Viktor Gyokeres responds to Gabriel after the Arsenal star copies his trademark celebration
Sporting Club forward Viktor Gyökeres has finally reacted to Arsenal defender Gabriel ‘stealing’ his celebration.
Gyökeres, 26, has been one of Europe’s standout players this season, scoring 24 goals in 20 games. However, the Swedish forward was unable to find the net on Tuesday as Arsenal secured a dominant 5-1 victory in Lisbon.
Gabriel scored Arsenal’s third goal in first-half stoppage time, meeting Declan Rice’s corner with a perfectly timed run. The Brazilian then mimicked Gyökeres’ signature celebration, interlocking his hands in front of his face, a gesture the Sporting striker later commented on with humor, saying Gabriel was welcome to “steal it” if he couldn’t create his own.
The celebration was reportedly a response to Pedro Goncalves imitating Granit Xhaka’s celebration during Sporting’s Europa League triumph over Arsenal in March 2023.
Despite the loss, Gyökeres remains a player in high demand, with top clubs like Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona reportedly scouting him during the match.
Arsenal’s win moved them to seventh place in the Champions League group stage standings. However, concerns were raised about Gabriel’s fitness, with Mikel Arteta revealing post-match that the defender experienced discomfort, though the exact nature of the issue remains unclear. Arteta also praised his team’s performance, highlighting their efficiency and growth on the European stage.
Viktor Gyökeres’ reaction to Gabriel’s playful imitation of his signature celebration added a lighthearted twist to an otherwise challenging match for Sporting Club. Gabriel’s goal celebration, a nod to Gyökeres’ interlocking hands gesture, sparked a humorous response from the Swedish striker, who quipped that Gabriel was welcome to “steal it” if he couldn’t come up with his own.
This moment of banter appears to mirror the friendly rivalry between Sporting and Arsenal, reminiscent of Pedro Goncalves mimicking Granit Xhaka’s celebration during their Europa League encounter in 2023. However, Arsenal had the last laugh this time with a dominant 5-1 victory, propelled by Gabriel’s goal.
Despite the loss, Gyökeres continues to attract attention from elite clubs like Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona, reflecting his remarkable form this season, with 24 goals in 20 games.
On Arsenal’s side, the win boosts their Champions League group stage position, but Gabriel’s post-match fitness concerns pose a potential setback. Mikel Arteta expressed pride in his team’s progress while emphasizing Gabriel’s condition would be assessed to determine the severity of his discomfort.
