Alan Shearer and Micah Richards clash over Arsenal's Gabriel – 'Be the bigger person'

Micah Richards has slammed Gabriel Magalhaes for mockingly performing Viktor Gyokeres’ goal celebration, telling the Arsenal defender to “be the bigger person”. Alan Shearer disagreed with his fellow pundit, however, claiming the Brazilian should be free to express himself.

Arsenal sent out a warning to their European rivals on Tuesday with a 5-1 Champions League demolition of Sporting CP, marking the Portuguese side’s first home defeat in 18 months. Gabriel, who is enjoying the best spell of his career, met Declan Rice’s whipped-in corner to score Arsenal’s third goal with a monstrous header just before half time.

The centre-back then ran towards the corner flag and performed his own version of Sporting striker Gyokeres’ signature celebration. By covering his eyes with interlocked fingers, Gabriel appeared to mock the Swedish striker, having effectively silenced him throughout the match with the help of his defensive partner, William Saliba.

His jibe quickly became the subject of discussion on social media, especially given that Gyokeres has been rumoured to be on Arsenal’s radar. But pundit Richards, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, saw it as unsavoury and unnecessary.

Richards said: “Gabriel has been excellent. I don’t quite agree with his Gyokeres celebration. We don’t need to go there, mocking Gyokeres. He did the celebration when he scored the goal. I’m just like, you don’t need to do that. Be the bigger person.”

Newcastle United icon Shearer took issue with Richards’ complaint, saying: “Oh, what a load of s***. Let him do it if he wants to,” while Richards playfully responded: “You’re like Wrighty [Arsenal legend Ian Wright], Wrighty’s got into your head too much, telling you, ‘F off Al, let him do what he wants.'”

Richards added in a more serious tone: “Alan, I’m all for fun, you know me. But these moments here always come back to bite you. I love his confidence. I love the fact that he can bring it. But why’s a defender even thinking about doing a Gyokeres celebration? I know he’s good at set-pieces, but come on! Gabriel, I love you, but you shouldn’t be doing that.”

Podcast host Gary Lineker then chimed in with his own perspective, adding: “I’d actually be quite flattered if I was Gyokeres that he actually knew about me and my celebration. I don’t have a particular problem with that.”

Gyokeres, who is reportedly also being pursued by Manchester United, aimed a subtle dig at Gabriel in a post-match interview, saying: “He’s welcome to steal it if he can’t create his own celebration! I didn’t know he did that, but it’s fun he likes my celebration.”

Gabriel’s gesture could have been an attempt at revenge after Sporting midfielder Pedro Goncalves mimicked former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka’s celebration back in 2023. The Portuguese giants knocked the Gunners out of the Europa League round of 16 on penalties in March that year, with Goncalves imitating Xhaka by placing his thumb on his nose and extending his hand out.

The defeat derailed Mikel Arteta’s side’s entire 2022/23 season, with injuries to Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu during that game contributing to their collapse in the Premier League title race. However, there were no such problems on Tuesday, with Arsenal now sitting seventh in the Champions League league phase with three games remaining.