Former Arsenal forward Freddie Ljungberg has branded Gabriel's goal celebration against Sporting as 'disrespectful' after the defender appeared to mock Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres.
The centre-back rose highest to head home Arsenal's third goal in a resounding 5-1 victory over the Portuguese side in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The game was a rare occasion in which Gyokeres failed to find the net but viewers still got to see a variation of his trademark celebration when the Brazilian scored his third goal of the campaign.
Ljungberg, a compatriot of the Sporting striker, slammed Gabriel's gesture and labelled his actions as 'disrespectful'.
'I'm not a fan of it,' he told 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.'
Gabriel was quickly swarmed by his teammates after scoring but users on social media were quick to pick up on the gesture made by the central defender.
The Brazilian had earlier come out on top against Swedish star Gyokeres in a number of duels and was even seen jeering the crowd after doing so.
Gyokeres - who has been linked with a host of top European clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United after his blistering form for the Portuguese champions - brushed off the incident after the match, saying: 'He’s welcome to steal it if he can’t create his own celebration!'
Arsenal took the lead through Gabriel Martinelli after a neat ball across the box by Jurrien Timber before Kai Havertz doubled their lead shortly after.
Gabriel then got their third after rising highest from a corner and powering his header into the back of the net defiantly.
After the half-time break, Sporting got back into the match through a Goncalo Inacio header before Bukayo Saka scored from the penalty spot.
Leandro Trossard rounded out the emphatic win that took the Gunners up into the top eight of the Champions League table.
haobcko
0
We are tired of Legends. they had their time no one talked about them as they do today
heybclmnrs
0
oh nooo that's the way of saying Gyokeres you failed to come and joined me so covered your face well(be ashamed)
keudkmosuz
0
We shall do it again again and again,
I love that, nice comment
young_boss
0
the celebration is two different thing gyokeres covers from mouth to nose while Gabriel from nose to eyes!
fupceiluyz
0
style cr7 many player do it same??? any problem??
But they don't do it when they are playing against Al Nassir or Portugal.
fupceiluyz
3
Gabriel is a wife mimicking her husband.Let Gykores join Chelsea and Gabriel will scream in our bedroom (Stamford Bridge).🙈🤣🤣🤣🤣🙈🙈
exodus30
0
They mock Granit Xahka too so they deserved
yinacilmry
0
style cr7 many player do it same??? any problem??
Honsheyi
0
Karma will hit him and his bottlers team
See you on Saturday
bm69
0
THE RULE IS SIMPLE: DO TO OTHERS WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO TO YOU.
D’breeze-EL-Papi
1
When other players do the CR7 it is t disrespectful but when it Gyokores the foolish Freddie has a problem
foybdlmptz
2
He didn’t even slam sporting last season for doing granit xhaka celebration. He was simply saying we covered his face and he couldn’t see the ball 😎😆
Sopabnuyz
1
We shall do it again again and again,
Fakabceino
2
But you never slam Haaland for heating Gabi head with the ball when the got a draw against arsenal few months back
Kazdklmt
2
you'll cease it,your perspectives are nothing, nothing will happen to Arsenal...we won and G6's celebration has nothing to do with karma...@Namibia
Zibcklost
1
why the fk every single shit fans of other teams have to talk about what arsenal players do? mind your shiit teams ND players
Zibcklost
0
couple of seasons ago sporting player scored at Emirates and did chakar s celebration so I think Gabi remembered that and took revenge
Dramz13
1
Why look at it negatively to me Gabi was showing they belong together
keebcotuyz
0
I think he’s worst then Vini with his behavior!!?!??!!!
josilva877
0
thanks Gabriel for helping Chelsea to sign Gyokere. that mocking will make him minus Arsenal from his choice
Fuybcdkprz
0
Gabriel is just a fcking shithead
mad man what's wrong with what he did
Plpoon
1
lol. The world is round. Have faith.
peaceofmind
4
so he can't do other people celebration, fools
Cokbiklrt
0
Gabriel is just a fcking shithead
A fool he is we all know that.
Badhur
0
Gabriel is just a fcking shithead
seccdilrsy
0
Gyokeres is overrated
Lincks
3
Still Viktor will win the domestic trophy while Gabriel won't win it (premier league trophy including champions league) until he sign for other team than Arsenal 😂
Coaciortz
1
stay humble eh
lutbilmory
4
Why people always criticize anything Arsenal players & fans for everything they do? If a player scores and do CR7 celebration, no one will talk but as soon Arsenal players do another player celebration after scoring, that will become the take of every ex players and pundits
Whuligan
3
Karma will hit him and his bottlers team