Arsenal star Gabriel mocks Man Utd transfer target during Champions League heroics

Gabriel Magalhaes rubbed salt in Viktor Gyokeres' wounds by mimicking the Sporting Lisbon star's patented celebration after scoring in Arsenal's impressive 5-1 win.

The Gunners made a storming start to their crucial Champions League match in Portugal, with first-half goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel. Goncalo Inacio scored shortly after half-time to give Sporting hope, but Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard later added to the Portuguese champions' woes.

However, it was Gabriel's goal that took the match away from Sporting. And after heading home from Declan Rice's corner, the Brazilian defender celebrated in style.

His antics, in which he copied Gyokeres by putting both hands over his eyes, caused a stir online given the Sporting star's links with both Arsenal and Manchester United.

The Sweden international, 26, had close links with the Gunners during the summer transfer window, although the club ultimately decided not to sign a striker.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, interest in Gyokeres has only grown since then. And the fact that United have since signed Gyokeres' old boss, Ruben Amorim, from Sporting Lisbon could give them the edge in a transfer race.

Scouts from United and Manchester City were reportedly present at Tuesday night's match, where Gyokeres was starved for most of the evening. He hit the crossbar late on after a rare lead by the hosts.

Arsenal have struggled on the road in Europe but have been in top form in Portugal. Arteta had stressed that his team needed to improve their away form if they were to progress to the latter stages of the new Champions League.

The Spaniard said: “It's definitely something we need to improve. Not all games have been the same. It is true that within those matches there were matches in which we had already qualified.

“One thing that is very true is that we need to improve those results and find ways to understand what is missing. Sometimes it was about performance, sometimes about other aspects. That is the next step we have to take as a team.”