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.
“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.”
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.
kidbemnpt
1
Arsenal players always lack sportsmanship and too drama with dark arts
ijjhfgsgf
Bozeltuyz
0
I remember Saka doing Madison celebration when he scored against Tottenham. Noone complain bt bcz this guy is from Sweden ,Swedish hv a problem.
Zere8
0
Arsenal players always lack sportsmanship and too drama with dark arts
Ubong12
2
I stopped reading from when he said "Maybe i'm old fashion" I leave it there; he's old fashion fr;
Kapdknsz
3
These media takes things too seriously. At matches players do the Messi's looking to the beyond/ Ronaldo/ Ronaldinho dance etc etc. We called it bragging and bragging rights when our team wins and we link up with friends and fans
W0linhO
0
Face your conference league
Face ur trophyless season
Gunthemall90
0
Tomiyasu is injury prone he signed new contract to sit in the medical room,,get ride of him !!
it baffles me bro
Boyklnosu
1
Arsenal does not respect anyone so to hell with the person who wants respect
erons
2
Gyokeres can never match Gabriel and therefore his too junior to Gab to deserve respect. though the victory shocked Ljungberg. Celebration is free and no one is rightful owner of any celebration signs or gestures
herotheboy
2
Said everything except good performance from Arsenal
perebi
1
it really pains me when no body is talking about this
Vicacnpyz
0
That's y I love Haaland. Please nxt time throw two balls at the fake teeth merchant if possible
Face your conference league
miguelbumba
5
Is it because Gyokeres is Swedish as well? Players do that every now and then nowadays.. Not even worth to be talked about..
Nidclnopr
0
Tomiyasu is injury prone he signed new contract to sit in the medical room,,get ride of him !!
Xavero1
0
people celebrate like Ronaldo,,r they disrespecting him,,shut up mate
Bro he didn't see it
dooacmnprz
0
football
mehacdirt
3
people celebrate like Ronaldo,,r they disrespecting him,,shut up mate
Viwcelmnyz
0
Gabriel is such a rubbish when he plays for the national team,
you idiot it's your entire team that is rubbish
Viwcelmnyz
0
That's what we call KARMA. 🤏🤏 Sporting, tested their own medicine 💊 I remember their players mimicking Xhaka celebration at the Emirates Stadium Please we didn't know they would enjoy Gyokores celebration from the opponent that much😂😂😂😂
tell them mate
sikudouglas
1
many players mimick their idols,Gyokeres might be his,thus their isn't any problem doing it
Vanclmrty
3
That's what we call KARMA. 🤏🤏 Sporting, tested their own medicine 💊 I remember their players mimicking Xhaka celebration at the Emirates Stadium Please we didn't know they would enjoy Gyokores celebration from the opponent that much😂😂😂😂
KenSaroWiwa77
0
Zero UCL 🤣🤣
W0linhO
1
That's y I love Haaland. Please nxt time throw two balls at the fake teeth merchant if possible
AFerusmc6546
0
I understand a lot of people hate Gabriel because of his strong mentality, he keeps coming out you over and over with his performances. I guess nobody expected him to be doing just fine in Arsenal colors.
But yall will stil be trophyless as usual
Daphoenix23
0
But after all this noise, Arsenal will end the season trophy less
Nosacdlnty
1
Gabriel is such a rubbish when he plays for the national team,
what about Salah
DavidOscar
1
Gabriel is such a rubbish when he plays for the national team,
so is Szoboslai, van dijk, Arnold , Robertson, gravenberch and so many more of your players
Jemimoptuy
1
So if someone copies CR7 celebration its a bad thing. Pipo lets stop critisizing useless things. How man players copy each other's celebration anticts.U are our legend. So if Nwaneri start copying how u were celebrating yo goals u will sleep ontop of a tree. Love those who idolises living and gone superstars. Gooners for ever frm Africa Namibia
I think this happen because the striker refuse to move the Emirates
CoolestGuy
1
I understand a lot of people hate Gabriel because of his strong mentality, he keeps coming out you over and over with his performances. I guess nobody expected him to be doing just fine in Arsenal colors.
Manchesterisblue
2
Oh please, PSG did the same to our haaland and he was not even offended. It's just a celebration and nothing more on that
kepaeipuz
1
Gabriel is such a rubbish when he plays for the national team,
Same as Salah
jhkr
1
copying it is okay but wat was he celebrating to dat extend
Rohadklntz
1
Gabriel is such a rubbish when he plays for the national team,
Go and play well yoself
9jaNinja8903
4
Sporting Lisbon players mocked Granit Xhaka celebration when they won at the Emirates by penalties. What's the biggie about mocking Gyokeres celebration? 🤔
gigi07
0
ignorance in it's rawest quality
Momaenosuz
1
So if someone copies CR7 celebration its a bad thing. Pipo lets stop critisizing useless things. How man players copy each other's celebration anticts.U are our legend. So if Nwaneri start copying how u were celebrating yo goals u will sleep ontop of a tree. Love those who idolises living and gone superstars. Gooners for ever frm Africa Namibia
DSellu
0
Freddie needs to shut up!!! as stated, he must be a real old fashion to think that Gabriel was disrespectful to Gyokeres when the player himself saw nothing wrong with that but rather jokingly said in his post-match interview that Gabriel can go ahead and use his celebration if he didn't have any of his own.
zotdilnorz
1
Gabriel is such a rubbish when he plays for the national team,