On Tuesday night, the Champions League group stage delivered some exciting fixtures, including Arsenal’s visit to Lisbon to face Sporting CP at the José Alvalade Stadium.
The game took an unexpected twist when Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães scored just before halftime, extending the Gunners’ lead to 3-0.
What caught the attention of fans, however, was Gabriel’s choice of celebration, which mirrored that of Sporting striker Viktor Gyökeres.
It didn’t take long for social media to uncover the reason behind the apparent dig.
Users on X highlighted that Gabriel’s celebration was likely a form of payback for an incident that took place six years earlier.
The roots of the moment trace back to 2018, during another Champions League clash between Arsenal and Sporting.
In that match, Granit Xhaka scored the opening goal for Arsenal, only for Pedro Gonçalves to equalize for Sporting.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, and when the teams met again in the second leg in London, another draw led to a penalty shootout.
Sporting ultimately triumphed, with goalkeeper Antonio Adán making a decisive save against Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli.
Following Sporting’s victory, which secured their progression to the quarter-finals, Pedro Gonçalves celebrated in a controversial manner.
He ran over to the Arsenal away fans and mimicked Xhaka’s goal celebration, adding to the frustration of the traveling supporters.
This provocative moment seemed to linger in the memory of some Arsenal players, including Gabriel.
Fast forward to Tuesday’s game, and Gabriel’s celebration appeared to be a direct reference to that 2018 encounter.
By mimicking Viktor Gyökeres’s trademark move, Gabriel sent a clear message, suggesting that Arsenal had not forgotten Sporting’s taunts from years prior.
The gesture added a layer of drama to an already thrilling match, showcasing the emotional intensity that often accompanies these European clashes.
Arsenal’s dominant first-half performance, capped by Gabriel’s goal and pointed celebration, reflected the team’s hunger to make a statement in Lisbon.
Meanwhile, fans on social media debated whether Gabriel’s actions were justified or simply a lighthearted jab in response to Sporting’s history of playful provocation.
The incident underscored the deep-seated rivalries and emotional narratives that make the Champions League so compelling.
Gabriel’s celebration not only added spice to Arsenal’s victory but also reignited memories of a dramatic chapter in their European encounters with sporting.
