Freddie Ljungberg has branded Gabriel Magalhaes ‘disrespectful’ for copying Viktor Gyokeres’ celebration during Arsenal’s 5-1 win against Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Mikel Arteta’s side delivered an impressive victory in Europe and were three goals ahead by half time through Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and GabrielMagalhaes.
Sporting pulled a goal back shortly after half time through Goncalo Inacio but Arsenal continued their dominance and Bukayo Saka scored their fourth from the penalty spot before Leandro Trossard completed the win with a goal in the 82nd minute.
Gyokeres, who has been linked with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, endured a difficult evening with Gabriel and William Saliba both on top form to nullify the Sweden international.
But Gabriel heaped more misery on Gyokeres after scoring Arsenal’s third goal as he copied the Sporting striker’s celebration by placing his interlocked fingers in front of his face.
The Brazil international has not explained his decision to mimic Gyokeres, however, it appears Arsenal’s players were getting their own back on Sporting after Pedro Goncalves copied Granit Xhaka’s celebration after they knocked the Gunners out of the Europa League on penalties at the Emirates Stadium last year.
But Ljungberg, who took temporary charge of Arsenal before Arteta’s arrival in December 2019, has criticised Gabriel for his celebration.
‘I’m not a fan of it,’ Ljungberg said during his analysis for 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.’
Ljungberg’s fellow pundit, former 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.’
When asked about Gabriel’s decision to copy his celebration, Gyokeres told Viaplay after the game: ‘I didn’t know he did that, but it’s fun he likes my celebration.
‘He’s welcome to steal it if he can’t create his own celebration.’
Speaking about Sporting’s overall performance, Gyokeres said: ‘We were not good enough today.
‘We didn’t play good enough football when we had the ball. We start like against Manchester City and concede an early goal and it’s not always that easy to turn a game around… it was a tough day.’
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz praised Gabriel and Saliba for keeping Gyokeres quiet during the game.
‘He is a big threat and plays well for Sporting but credit to our defence that handled him well today,’ Havertz said.
‘Today he wasn’t that dangerous, but that’s because we defended very well.’
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