Gabriel Magalhaes explains 'fun' response to Amadou Onana celebration after big Arsenal win

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Gabriel Magalhaes was videoed immitating Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana's celebration after Arsenal's big victory in the Premier League

Gabriel Magalhaes has explained his cheeky Amadou Onana copycat celebration following Arsenal’s big win over Aston Villa as “a bit of fun.” The Brazilian returned for Arsenal in the starting XI and scored the opening goal of the 4-1 win that left many of the Villa players’ rather angry.

Unai Emery walked immediately down the tunnel before claiming in two post-match interviews that he waited to shake Mikel Arteta’s hand who couldn’t find his compatriot seconds after the full-time whistle. In addition, Emi Martinez was videoed having to be held back after reacting to the goading from Arsenal fans over the tunnel.

Gabriel, though, has personified the fun aspect of this Arsenal team. He put his own stamp on Viktor Gyokeres’ celebration when the Gunners beat Sporting CP in Lisbon last season, and now he is a teammate of the Swedish striker.

Onana has been videoed after games, imitating putting three points in his pocket, which Gabriel took the opportunity to copy when on the camera feeds of Arsenal’s in-house media team.

“Yes, yes,” he said. “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.”

And that they did, courtesy of another set-piece goal from the big defender. Missing since suffering an adductor injury during international duty with Brazil in a friendly against Senegal, Gabriel spoke of his happiness to be back.

“Yes, personally, it feels very, very good,” he said. “I'm very, very happy.

“It was a difficult day, but I worked a lot to come back as quickly as possible. Today I'm so happy to be back with the team with a big win.”

However, Gabriel is not yet getting too carried away after the win in regard to the title race. Like his manager so often has before him, the 28-year-old is taking things one step at a time.

“I think we need to go game by game and let's work together,” he said. “And don't need to think about the other teams, think about us and need to keep playing.”