Freddie Ljungberg has branded Gabriel Magalhaes ‘disrespectful’ for copying Viktor Gyokeres’ celebration throughout Arsenal’s 5-1 win towards Sporting CP within the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Mikel Arteta’s facet delivered a formidable victory in Europe and had been three targets forward by half time by Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and GabrielMagalhaes.
Sporting pulled a aim again shortly after half time by Goncalo Inacio however Arsenal continued their dominance and Bukayo Saka scored their fourth from the penalty spot earlier than Leandro Trossard accomplished the win with a aim within the 82nd minute.
Gyokeres, who has been linked with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, endured a troublesome night with Gabriel and William Saliba each on prime kind to nullify the Sweden worldwide.
However Gabriel heaped extra distress on Gyokeres after scoring Arsenal’s third aim as he copied the Sporting striker’s celebration by inserting his interlocked fingers in entrance of his face.
The Brazil worldwide has not defined his determination to imitate Gyokeres, nonetheless, it seems Arsenal’s gamers had been getting their very own again on Sporting after Pedro Goncalves copied Granit Xhaka’s celebration after they knocked the Gunners out of the Europa League on penalties on the Emirates Stadium final yr.
However Ljungberg, who took non permanent cost of Arsenal earlier than Arteta’s arrival in December 2019, has criticised Gabriel for his celebration.
‘I’m not a fan of it,’ Ljungberg mentioned throughout his evaluation for Viaplay.
‘In fact, he will need to have had a number of speak about taking part in towards Gyokeres and whether or not he would be capable of do it. Then his level in exhibiting that he can deal with it’s fairly easy.
‘However I feel it’s a bit disrespectful.
‘Perhaps I’m old school, however I don’t suppose it’s vital. I feel another person has that concentrate on gesture, depart it alone. I don’t wish to see it.’
Ljungberg’s fellow pundit, former Sweden head coach Lars Lagerback, added: ‘You’ll be able to at all times talk about ethics and morality however I don’t suppose it’s notably critical. However you possibly can solely take a bit.
‘There may be in all probability some irony behind it, one hopes, and never simply rudeness.’
When requested about Gabriel’s determination to repeat his celebration, Gyokeres instructed Viaplay after the sport: ‘I didn’t know he did that, nevertheless it’s enjoyable he likes my celebration.
‘He’s welcome to steal it if he can’t create his personal celebration.’
Talking about Sporting’s general efficiency, Gyokeres mentioned: ‘We weren’t ok at this time.
‘We didn’t play ok soccer after we had the ball. We begin like towards Manchester Metropolis and concede an early aim and it’s not at all times that straightforward to show a recreation round… it was a troublesome day.’
In the meantime, Kai Havertz praised Gabriel and Saliba for preserving Gyokeres quiet through the recreation.
‘He’s a giant risk and performs effectively for Sporting however credit score to our defence that dealt with him effectively at this time,’ Havertz mentioned.
‘Right now he wasn’t that harmful, however that’s as a result of we defended very effectively.’
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