'If he can’t create his own!' - Viktor Gyokeres responds to Gabriel stealing his goal celebration as alleged act of revenge in Arsenal's 5-1 Champions League rout of Sporting CP

The Gunners ran riot against the Portuguese giants as they raced into a 3-0 lead before the interval and then scored two more goals in the second 45 minutes to register a thumping win in the Champions League on Tuesday. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes scored the first three goals for the team while Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard's second-half strikes completed the rout.

Brazilian defender Gabriel imitated the opposition's goal machine Gyokeres while celebrating his goal. The Swedish forward's celebration has become extremely popular where he covers his mouth with clasped hands - though in this instance, the Gunners star put them over his eyes instead. After the game, the Sporting CP star issued a response to Gabriel over copying his mannerisms.

Speaking to ViaPlay after the game, Gyokeres said: "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 he likes my celebration."

Per Metro, Gabriel's mimicry of Gyokeres was an act of revenge for how another Sporting player acted in their previous clash with Arsenal in the Europa League back in March 2023. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the round of 16 tie, the English club took the lead courtesy of Granit Xhaka's strike but Pedro Goncalves equalised for the team. That forced extra time and then a penalty shootout, where Sporting emerged victorious. Goncalves mocked Xhaka by mimicking his celebration where the Swiss midfielder touches his nose with his thumb and extends his hand out.

The north London side will now face West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday in a difficult away fixture. If they manage to win the clash, they could overtake Manchester City in the league table, provided the champions drop points against Liverpool on Sunday at Anfield.