Gabriel Magalhães hits back to Richarlison after the preseason match between Arsenal and Tottenham!
Tottenham Hotspur claimed a narrow 1–0 victory over Arsenal in a heated preseason clash, but the tension didn’t end on the pitch. Brazilian international Richarlison, who was named Man of the Match for his energetic display, added spice to the rivalry by tagging fellow countryman and Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães in a cheeky social media post after the game.
The post, which featured Richarlison celebrating the win, appeared to mock Gabriel, who was part of the Arsenal backline that conceded the lone goal. While the caption was lighthearted, the tag was anything but subtle—igniting a wave of reactions online.
Gabriel, never one to shy away from a bit of banter, responded swiftly with a post of his own. His reply, accompanied by a second image (now going viral among fans), seemed to throw shade back at Richarlison, reminding his compatriot that preseason results are far from the full story.
The exchange highlights the growing intensity of the North London rivalry, now charged with national pride as two of Brazil’s key internationals face off in one of football’s fiercest derbies.
While Spurs fans reveled in the win and Richarlison’s swagger, Arsenal supporters applauded Gabriel for holding his ground and keeping the banter alive ahead of what promises to be a thrilling 2025/26 Premier League season.
If this preseason clash was any indication, the upcoming meetings between Arsenal and Tottenham will be about more than just three points—they’ll be personal
Thanks for the images! Here’s an updated, professional article including the context from the photos:
Richarlison and Gabriel Trade Jabs After Spurs Edge Arsenal in Preseason Derby
Tottenham Hotspur may have won the preseason bragging rights with a 1–0 victory over Arsenal in Hong Kong, but it was the post-match banter between two Brazilian internationals that truly lit up social media.
Richarlison, who was named Man of the Match, posed confidently with his award in the Spurs dressing room and tagged Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães in the photo—a bold move considering the pair are teammates in the Brazil national squad. The post, shared on Instagram, was widely seen as a cheeky dig at his fellow countryman following the hard-fought North London Derby.
However, Gabriel wasn’t going to let the moment slide.
Just hours later, the Arsenal center-back responded with a clever clap-back on his Instagram story. He posted a photo of multiple official Premier League “Player of the Match” awards stacked on a shelf—with several of them labeled from Arsenal’s past victories over Tottenham. He tagged Richarlison directly in the story, accompanied by a smirking sweat emoji, subtly reminding his compatriot of Arsenal’s more meaningful recent dominance in competitive fixtures.
The exchange quickly caught fire among fans, with Arsenal and Spurs supporters alike weighing in on the playful—but pointed—jabs. While it was all in good humor, it also underscored the intensity of the rivalry and the pride both players carry—not just for their clubs, but in representing Brazil on the biggest stage.
With the 2025/26 Premier League season just around the corner, the online back-and-forth has only added fuel to what is already one of English football’s fiercest rivalries.
If this preseason meeting was the appetizer, fans can expect fireworks when Arsenal and Tottenham meet again under the bright lights of the Premier League.
