Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes wasted no time in celebrating his team's emphatic 4-1 victory over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, taking to social media to post a cheeky, mocking picture from the team coach. The 28-year-old Brazilian centre-back, dressed in his Gunners tracksuit, was captured enjoying the short journey back across north London, proudly displaying his man of the match award alongside a bag of M&Ms, a can of Rio, and a set of playing cards with the number four clearly visible—a direct reference to the four goals Arsenal put past their hapless opponents.
Teammates and Fans Join the Fun
The Instagram post quickly garnered attention from Gabriel's teammates and fans alike. Arsenal captain Declan Rice responded with five laughing emojis and three hearts, while Gabriel Martinelli and Piero Hincapie both replied with 'Completinho chefe,' which is Brazilian slang meaning 'complete boss.' Former Arsenal women's star Alex Scott also showed her approval by posting two applause emojis, and Cristhian Mosquera added four laughing emojis to the mix.
A Subtle Dig at Richarlison
In a move that did not go unnoticed by eagle-eyed supporters, Gabriel subtly tagged his Brazil national team colleague Richarlison in the post. The Tottenham forward, who came off the bench during Sunday's defeat, was the target of this light-hearted jab. Fans quickly picked up on the reference, with one user commenting, 'Over to you, Richarlison,' accompanied by three laughing emojis, and another noting, 'Bro really tagged Richarlison.'
Continuing a Light-Hearted Online Feud
This incident is the latest chapter in a playful online rivalry between Gabriel and Richarlison, which began last July. After Tottenham's 1-0 win over Arsenal in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong, Richarlison posted a picture of his man of the match award and tagged Gabriel. In response, Gabriel shared a photo of the three previous man of the match awards he had won against Spurs, highlighting his impressive record in North London derbies.
Gabriel followed up with another post after Arsenal's 4-1 win at the Emirates Stadium in November, despite missing that game due to a hamstring injury. He shared a photo of himself with a player of the month trophy and Eberechi Eze's shirt—Eze scored a hat-trick in that match. With Sunday's victory, Gabriel now has another man of the match award to add to his collection, further cementing his enviable derby record: he has been on the winning side in eight of his 11 North London derbies, losing just two.
Impact on the Premier League Title Race
Arsenal's comprehensive win not only provided bragging rights but also restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, following Manchester City's victory against Newcastle on Saturday. However, the Gunners have played one game more than City and still face a crucial away trip to the Etihad Stadium before the season concludes, making the title race tightly contested.
The derby drubbing was sealed by goals from Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres, who each scored twice, mirroring the 4-1 scoreline from the reverse fixture just three months prior. As Arsenal fans revel in the triumph, Gabriel's social media antics have added an extra layer of enjoyment to an already memorable victory, showcasing the blend of on-field success and off-field banter that defines modern football rivalries.
