Arsenal legend SLAMS Gunners star for what he did against Sporting

Tom Weber

• Updated: 27 Nov 2024 14:19 CST
• 3 min read

Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg has branded Gabriel Magalhaes 'disrespectful' for copying Viktor Gyokeres' celebration.

The Gunners faced Sporting CP in a highly-anticipated Champions League clash on Tuesday at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. A difficult match was expected in the build-up but the Portuguese giants would ultimately show little of the resilience and fluent football that they previously displayed under Ruben Amorim.

New coach Joao Pereira - who wasn't officially in charge of the side due to not owning the requisite qualification - was dismayed to see his side succumb to a chastening 5-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal.

READ MORE: Gyokeres has 'HEART SET' on Premier League club as everything changes for Isak

It was a comfortable evening out for Mikel Arteta's men, with Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard all finding the back of the net.

However, one of the two Gabriels sparked a little bit of controversy with what he did after scoring.

Gabriel copies Gyokeres

During the celebrations, Gabriel decided to mimic the mask celebration of Sporting's star striker Viktor Gyokeres, a player who, funnily enough, has frequently been associated with a move to Arsenal.

Gyokeres was asked about it after the match and brushed it off as a bit of fun with this cheeky dig: “He’s welcome to steal it if he can’t create his own celebration!”

READ MORE: Isak and Gyokeres snubbed - Arteta identifies Arsenal's 'PRIORITY' target

However, Gyokeres' compatriot and Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg seemingly took more offence than the main man himself. “I’m not a fan of it,” he told Viaplay in the wake of the game.

“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,” the former Gunners interim boss fumed.