Mikel Arteta finally overcame his struggles in the Champions League away from home on Tuesday night as Arsenal delivered a stunning 5-1 victory over Sporting. The Portuguese side, who had not suffered a home defeat in 18 months, were thoroughly outclassed by the Gunners.
Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal the perfect start by opening the scoring with a composed finish. Shortly after, Kai Havertz doubled the lead, and just before half-time, Gabriel Magalhães added a third to put the visitors firmly in control.
Sporting started the second half brightly and managed to pull one back through Gonçalo Inácio. However, Arsenal responded emphatically. Bukayo Saka converted a penalty to extend the lead, and substitute Leandro Trossard added a fifth goal late in the match, completing an outstanding performance for Arteta’s men.
One of the key moments in the game was Gabriel’s goal before the break. The Brazilian defender has a reputation for being a threat from set-pieces and has consistently delivered in crucial games. Having already scored in back-to-back fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester City earlier in the season, he once again showed his value with a powerful header. Arsenal fans now expect him to make an impact in such situations.
However, Gabriel’s celebration stole much of the attention. After scoring, he mimicked Viktor Gyökeres’ signature celebration in what appeared to be a playful jab at the Sporting forward. Gyökeres was asked about the incident after the game and responded with humor:
“Gabriel’s celebration? He’s welcome to borrow it if he can’t come up with his own! I didn’t know he copied it, but it’s fun he likes my celebration.”
Why Gabriel Magalhães copied Viktor Gyökeres celebration in Arsenal dominant Champions League win.
This playful exchange brought back memories of a previous encounter between the two sides. In last season’s Europa League round-of-16 clash, Granit Xhaka had given Arsenal the lead in the second leg before Pedro Gonçalves scored an incredible long-range goal to force extra time and penalties. Sporting eventually prevailed in the shootout, eliminating Arsenal from the competition.
During the celebrations that night, Gonçalves was seen imitating Xhaka’s celebration in front of Arsenal’s traveling supporters, adding an extra layer of drama to the occasion.
This time, however, Arsenal ensured there would be no repeat of that disappointment. Gabriel’s crucial goal on the brink of half-time set the tone for the night, and the Gunners’ quality shone through as they dismantled Sporting with a dominant display. Arteta’s men left no doubt about their superiority, taking home the bragging rights in emphatic style.
