Gabriel Has Spoken Out After Mocking Amadou Onana

Gabriel Magalhaes has explained his post-match celebration, which seemed to mock Amadou Onana, following Arsenal‘s emphatic 4-1 win over Aston Villa. He was a standout performer on his return from injury and opened the scoring at the Emirates.

The Brazilian defender was awarded man-of-the-match for his display, which helped the Gunners end Villa’s 11-match winning streak. But it was his celebration after the game that caught fans’ attention.

A video from the club’s media team surfaced online of Gabriel pretending to put the three points in his pocket, and it drew comparisons to how Onana often responds to winning a game. He has now spoken about imitating the Villans’ midfielder and pointed out his prediction came to fruition.

Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa: Gabriel Jokes About Copying Onana

Gabriel is known for his larger-than-life personality on and off the pitch, and he often copies other players’ celebrations. That was the case last season when Arsenal beat Sporting CP, as he performed Viktor Gyokeres‘ trademark celebration before the Swede joined the North Londoners this past summer.

The 28-year-old touched on mimicking Onana by suggesting it was all in jest:

“Yes, yes. Those sort of things spur you on. It’s good fun. It’s fun for them, it’s fun for us as well. Like I said, we’ll get the three points.”

Gabriel was back to his best on his first appearance for the club since suffering an adductor injury while on international duty with Brazil in mid-November. The reverse fixture between Arsenal and Villa took place during his absence, and Unai Emery’s men secured a 2-1 win at Villa Park to end the Gunners’ own 11-game unbeaten run.

The Brazilian reminded the Premier League just how deadly he is from set pieces when he rose highest to head home the opener. Martin Zubimendi made it two shortly after before Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus also got on the scoresheet in a rampant second-half performance from Mikel Arteta’s men.

Ollie Watkins netted a late consolation goal but the league leaders earned a statement victory against a Villa side who have been touted as title dark horses. The North London giants moved five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light tomorrow (January 1st).

Jamie Carragher: Gabriel Could Be Difference in Title Race

Gabriel took his tally for the season to two goals and as many assists in 13 league games but it’s not just his threat from set pieces that is proving vital for Arteta. He has become one of Europe’s most reliable centre-backs, forming a formidable partnership with William Saliba and perhaps displacing the Frenchman as the league’s very best defender.

Jamie Carragher spoke glowingly about the Brazilian after Arsenal’s win and called him the most influential player in the top flight. He said on Sky Sports:

“Gabriel being back is huge. Before I’ve said that he’s the most influential player in the Premier League, and we’ve seen it again tonight. It was fantastic for everybody in that stadium tonight.”

The former LOSC Lille man, who arrived in September 2020 for around £23 million, missed seven league games due to a hamstring injury. His side’s only defeat since losing to Liverpool in August came against Villa while he was on the sidelines.

Arteta’s men also dropped points against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, despite playing against 10 men for much of the game. His return comes at a crucial stage of the season, with the new year arriving and games against Liverpool (January 8th) and Inter Milan in the Champions League (January 20th) on the horizon.