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Gabriel scores against Sporting Lisbon and celebrates using Viktor Gyokeres' celebration

Gabriel Magalhes scored a thunderous header just before halftime in the UEFA Champions League, perhaps sending a direct message to Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres.

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Saatvik Oberoi
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Gabriel and Viktor Gyokeres

Gabriel Magalhes, a defender for Arsenal, scored a thunderous header just before halftime in the UEFA Champions League, perhaps sending a direct message to Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres. Gabriel quickly marked the goal to give his team a third goal before halftime. Gabriel brought his two hands to his face and locked fingers over his eyes as he ran to the other side of the field with his courageous friends. It resembles the gesture for which Gyokeres has gained notoriety.

Over the past year, Sporting's blazing goal machine has taken over the festivities, further solidifying his claim to be the most desirable property number nine available. Gyokeres tends to hide his lips and lower portion of his face with his hands, in contrast to Gabriel, who covers his eyes and the upper portion of his face. 

Gabriel's goal ended an incredible half for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's team had already taken the lead early on thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli. In an absolutely dominating first forty-five minutes in Lisbon, Arsenal's pace and flair were too much for Sporting, who were suddenly without Ruben Amorim when he moved to join Manchester United. Gabriel's dash to the far post to put the ball in for 3-0 encapsulated that.

Viktor Gyokeres on his way to Arsenal next summer?

Despite just joining the Sporting Lisbon side from Coventry City in July of last year, the striker has already established himself as one of the most brutal goal scorers in Europe during his time there and has been extensively linked to a potential big-money transfer in 2025.

One of the teams said to be interested in signing the Sweden international is Arsenal. Before the game against Sporting, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, was reluctant to discuss Gyokeres explicitly, but there is a broad consensus that the player may be just what Arsenal needs to increase their chances of taking home significant hardware.

Furthermore, if they can move fast during the upcoming transfer window, they may be able to position themselves to capture Gyokeres, whose contract includes a release clause however may wind up costing lower than that sum. Gyokeres is reportedly attracting interest from three major clubs: Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal. The Gunners would probably have the best chance of reaching an agreement during the January transfer window out of all of those.

Gabriel Magalhães Sporting Lisbon Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal UEFA Champions League
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