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      David Beckham shows true colours with savage reply to Arsenal fan son Romeo ahead of Man Utd clash

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      DAVID BECKHAM had a savage reply to son, Romeo, ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United.Red Devils icon David Beckham is no stranger to the rivalry with Arsenal on the pitch, having been a regular star in the fixture until leaving for Real Madrid in 2003.David Beckham penned a brutal reply to son Romeo on Instagram ahead of Arsenal v Man UtdCredit: GettyRomeo Beckham called out his dad ahead of the game as Beckham issued a brutal replyCredit: InstagramHowever, the 49-year-old now has to deal with the rivalry in his own home with his second eldest child Romeo being a Gunners supporter.And with United off to the Emirates for their first meeting of the season, Romeo took to Instagram to fan the flames before the game.He shared a selfie with the caption: “Big game in the old Beckham household today @davidbeckham. COYG.”But Inter Miami owner Beckham snr took no prisoners with a brutal reply.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLQuoting Romeo’s story on Instagram, he said: “Big game for you lot. “Just another game for us.”Beckham has recalled how Romeo wanted to watch a match one weekend, with Arsenal happening to be on.He was then treated well by then-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who took him into the changing room to meet the players and present him with a signed shirt.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd from there, Beckham has been unable to sway his son back to supporting his own old club.He told Rio Ferdinand Presents: “It was done!David and Victoria Beckham join the King and Queen at lavish State Banquet at Buckingham Palace for the first time”I’ve tried to change his mind since, but it is impossible.”Tonight’s game starts an incredible 13-game run for Arsenal where they will travel just 250 miles across all competitons.A win for Mikel Arteta’s side could move them to within six points of Liverpool if the league leaders lose to Newcastle.Meanwhile, a win for Ruben Amorim’s side will move them to within three points of Arsenal. More

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      Arsenal 2 Man Utd 0 LIVE RESULT: Timber & Saliba BOTH score from corners as Gunners close gap at the top – updates

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      ARSENAL handed new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim his first defeat as they beat the Red Devils 2-0.Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both scored from second-half corners as the Gunners closed the gap on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.Kick-off time: 8:15pm GMTLive stream/TV: Amazon Prime Video FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow ALL the action from the Emirates with our live blog below…Ruben needing change at Old TraffordYou cannot purely blame a manager for poor performances.The reality of the situation Ruben Amorim finds himself in is that he blessed with a squad who are just not up to the task.It is quite cliche but the league table does not lie.For the manager to put his stamp on this team, he needs to bring in players who can deliver his tactics.Copy linkCopiedQuestions will still be askedWhile it was mission accomplished for The Gunners this evening, there is still a long road ahead in this campaign.They need to work a way to create more chances against the bigger teams as they need to assert themselves.Whether the Spaniard plans on bringing a striker into the club in January, only time will tell.They need one if they plan on winning trophies.Copy linkCopiedRuben looking for winning formulaThe Portuguese manager will experience his first ‘festive period’ of fixtures in the Premier League.With many games to be played, there will be quick turnarounds between matches.Some tricky fixtures coming up, it will be a real baptism of fire for Ruben Amorim.Copy linkCopiedGunners needing to put run togetherMikel Arteta needs his side to continue their good form of late.Even without the influential Gabriel, they kept a clean sheet this evening against a lacklustre opponent.You can only beat who is put in front of you, Arsenal now move on to focussing on the challenge ahead.Copy linkCopiedDec’s crucial to Christmas spirits in North LondonDeclan Rice was awarded the man of the match award against Man Utd this evening in the 500th game at The Emirates.They forked out to bring Rice from West Ham and he wants to try and win some silverware here.To stand a chance of challenging for the title, they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas at all.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedNorwegian crucial to title challengeIf Arsenal are to keep pace with Liverpool and challenge for the Premier League title, Martin Odegaard is vital.He makes such a different to this side, pulling the strings and creating the chances for them to put sides away.Arteta will need to ensure that he stays injury-free for the remainder of the season.Copy linkCopiedFT: Arsenal 2-0 Man UtdThe stats show that Arsenal were the more dominant side here tonight.Set pieces came to their aid once again.More importantly, they reduced the gap between them and Liverpool to 7 points after this win.Copy linkCopiedFT: Arsenal 2-0 Man UtdThe referee brings the match to a close.Arsenal are the victors in North London.Plenty of work to do for Ruben Amorim.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-0 Man Utd90+3. The win is all that mattered for Mikel Arteta and that is exactly what they have got.They deserved the victory, of the two teams, they were the only ones creating chances.It was not a great watch, the biggest cheer will be the final whistle for those who stayed.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-0 Man Utd90+1. Almost another goal for Mikel Arteta’s side.Rice swings in the corner and it is scrambled off the line as Onana misses his punch.We are going to have four additional minutes.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-0 Man Utd89. Declan Rice has been awarded the man of the match award.He has had two assists so far this evening from his corners. It seems more important that The Gunners secure all three points first.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-0 Man Utd87. Man Utd opt to try a training ground move.Fernandes slides it into the path Antony in the box.His shot is straight at Raya but other than that, the move worked.Credit: AFPCopy linkCopiedArsenal 2-0 Man Utd85. Antony is fouled by Merino on the edge of the box.Chance for Fernandes to get a consolation goal for the visitors.That said, if they score now, we might have a game on our hands.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-0 Man Utd83. Another big chance for The Gunners.Trossard tries to walk it into the net and the resulting tackle sees the ball break to Odegaard in the middle of the box.His shot is blocked and Havertz is penalised for a foul.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-0 Man Utd81. Antony has come on for Hojlund now.The pair look like they do not have a goal between them in their locker.Some of great signings of the ten Hag era right there.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 2-0 Man Utd79. Ugarte is penalised for a foul on Saka out wide.Chance for Arsenal to put another dangerous cross into the box.De Ligt heads clear but The Gunners recycle it well.The move breaks down when Merino is caught offside,Copy linkCopiedArsenal 2-0 Man Utd77. Rice puts an inswinging corner in right under the crossbar.Onana punches it over for another one.As the cross comes in, Merino has a completely free-header but sends it wide of the target.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedArsenal 2-0 Man Utd75. Not the best goal you will ever see but that really does not matter right now for Mikel Arteta’s side.We have some wait at the moment as VAR checks the goal for offside.Check complete, the goal stands.Partey headed back across goal, it hit Saliba’s hip and ends in the back of the net.Copy linkCopiedGoal – William Saliba (Arsenal)Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-0 Man Utd73. Rice looks to shoot from some distance.When he does this you can see it coming a mile off and usually a defender will slide in to block.Exactly what happened on this occasion. Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-0 Man Utd71. Merino and Trossard come on for the hosts.Martinelli and Zinchenko make way for the changes.This game is still finely poised in North London.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-0 Man Utd69. Man Utd are seeing more of the ball now.They are trying to be direct with passes forward but it is too easy for Arsenal to head clear.The Gunners are camped out in their own half.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-0 Man Utd67. As the ball is clipped in, de Ligt heads it solidy towards goal.Raya watches it all of the way as he claws it out of the goal.It was a great save by the Spaniard.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedArsenal 1-0 Man Utd65. Although Arteta would take this result right now, this really has been a drab affair between the pair.Hopefully we are building to mammouth finish to this game.A second goal for The Gunners would surely put this game to bed.Amad is fouled making a beeline for the box and wins his side a free kick.Copy linkCopiedArsenal 1-0 Man Utd63. Still plenty of this game left.If they have any will to win this game, they need to throw more players forward than they are now.It is all looking too easy for Arsenal out of possession.Copy linkCopied More

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      Former Arsenal star who made English football history finally retires at 45 after 27-year career

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      FORMER Premier League star Junichi Inamoto has hung up his boots – at the age of 45.The midfielder became English football’s first Japanese player when joining Arsenal in 2001.Junichi Inamoto has hung up his boots at the age of 45Credit: GettyInamoto became English football’s first Japanese player when joining Arsenal in 2001Credit: AFPInamoto also played for Fulham, West Brom and CardiffCredit: GettyInamoto is rolling credits on his 27-year football careerCredit: GettyHe made just four cup appearances for the Gunners without scoring during his loan spell from Gamba Osaka.But Inamoto went on to spend two seasons with Fulham – scoring FOUR goals in their Intertoto Cup final win over Bologna.He also played for West Brom and Cardiff, and won 82 Japan caps – appearing at three World Cup finals.His career also took him to Galatasaray, Eintracht Frankfurt and Rennes before returning home in 2010.Read More on ArsenalInamoto has played for fifth-tier club Nankatsu SC since 2022, but has now decided to retire.He said: “Of course the environment at Arsenal is completely different to Nankatsu.  But you have one ball, and football as a sport doesn’t change.”My goals at the 2002 World Cup were the launchpad for my name to be known around the world.”I was already at Arsenal by then, but those goals had a tremendous impact.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I have decided to retire at the end of this season.  To be honest, I have thought about retiring every year for the last two or three years.”As far as this year is concerned, I don’t think I can help the team at the moment.Jorginho tells Arsenal star Bukayo Saka to become England’s fifth-ever Ballon d’Or winner and end 23-year wait “I will be lonely to leave the field after doing so much.  I think I will go on to become a coach.”Inamoto’s career kicked off back in 1997 with Gamba Osaka. More

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      Man Utd set to include exciting 6ft 5in wonderkid, 16, in squad vs Arsenal as Red Devils hit with defensive crisis

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      MANCHESTER UNITED look set to name 16-year-old wonderkid Godwill Kukonki in Ruben Amorim’s squad to face back in-form Arsenal.It comes after the Red Devils were again hit with a defensive crisis after Luke Shaw’s injury set-back and Lisandro Martinez’s suspension.Man Utd look set to name 16-year-old Godwill Kukonki in their squad to face ArsenalCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeTowering youngster Kukonki was given a chance to impressKukonki, who hails at 6ft 5in, was pictured travelling down with the squad to North London on Tuesday afternoon.He also went along to Portman Road for Amorim’s Prem debut against Ipswich but was not included in the matchday squad.But given United’s lack of depth at the back, Kukonki looks set to be named in his first Prem squad against Arsenal, according to Manchester Evening News.Left-footed centre-back Kukonki is highly rated at the club, having impressed with the Under-18s, who look to be heading to their second successive Premier League this season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt is believed that he has the “technical and physical qualities” needed to star in senior football before he turns 17 in February 2025.It comes as United are missing FIVE defenders for their trip to the Emirates.Shaw, 29, had just returned to action late last month following a nine month spell on the sidelines due to problems with his knee and calf.The full-back made three appearances from the bench against Ipswich Town, Bodo/Glimt and Everton since his return to fitness.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHowever, the England international suffered another minor injury after the weekend, with fans hoping he’d start in the back-three in the absence of Martinez.Argentinian star Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo are both suspended after picking up their fifth yellow cards of the season against Everton.How Ruben Amorim unleashed Rashford with game-changing Zirkzee role ahead of Man Utd v ArsenalVictor Lindelof’s groin issues has left him ruled out, while Jonny Evans is still being assessed following a knock against Ipswich.Amorim could be eyeing his first defeat in the United dugout tonight.Evans was not included in United’s 4-0 win over Everton on Sunday and summer signing Leny Yoro is working his way back to fitness.The Gunners are looking to extend their run to four consecutive wins as they climbed to second in the Prem.Mikel Arteta’s side have scored 13 GOALS in their last three games against Nottingham Forest, Sporting and West Ham.Man Utd ratings vs Everton as Zirkzee answers his critics in style… but one midfielder strugglesRUBEN AMORIM celebrated his first Premier League game at Old Trafford with a stunning 4-0 victory over Everton.Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee shook off questions over their recent form with two each at a thrilled Old Trafford – as the Red Devils won a Prem game by four goals or more since the opening day of the 2021-22 season.Here’s how SunSport’s Ken Lawrence rated the Red Devils…ANDRE ONANA – 6Called into action early and showed growing his growing composure as No 1.NOUSSAIR MAZROUI – 6Has rapidly become one of the United faithful’s favourites doing himself no harm again.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6Stretched at first by bustling Beto but beginning to look like he’s settling down in a back three.LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6Once again looking like the master and commander of the United rearguard.AMAD DIALLO – 8Went from wasteful to the plundering terror of centre backs Branthwaite and Tarkowski.KOBBIE MAINOO – 6Quiet, calm, controlled, no panic, no loss of possession, no problem for the midfielder.CASEMIRO – 5Looked like his lack of pace might be a problem again in central midfield but ground it out.DIOGO DALOT – 6Enjoying life in his new left-side forward role and didn’t really put a foot wrong.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 8Transformed himself from headless chicken to tripling his whole United tally with two clinical strikes.MARCUS RASHFORD – 9Ruben Amorim has gone out of his way to big up the front man and he’s responding in style.BRUNO FERNANDES – 6Wasteful for a while but got his head down to have a real influence by the end.SUBSLUKE SHAW (Mazraoui 56) – 5Comfortably easing himself back.HARRY MAGUIRE (de Ligt 56) – 5Looked happy to be out there.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (Fernandes 66) – 5Got bustling off the bench.MANUEL UGARTE (Casemiro 66) – 5Will be wanting more minutes than this.MASON MOUNT (Mainoo 80) – 5Sharp and up for it. More

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      Arsenal will travel just 250 miles in next 13 matches thanks to favourable fixture schedule

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      CHRISTMAS and New Year are some of the busiest times around for people, with travelling often making up a big part of that schedule.That rule also commonly applies to football, with Arsenal being no different in terms of having a busy schedule.Arsenal have avoided any huge away days over the Christmas and New Year periodCredit: GettyBut Arsenal have found some nice luck in their Christmas schedule with a surprisingly low amount of travelling on the itinerary for them over their next 13 games.In fact, they will travel outside of London just ONCE before January 22, with three away games all coming in the capital.Their clash with Brighton on January 4 2025 will be the only Premier League game that is not a London derby away from home.Arsenal remarkably play nine games at the Emirates Stadium during the run, starting with Manchester United on Wednesday and ending with Dinamo Zagreb on January 22.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe run will see them rack up just under 250 miles of travel on the road.Brighton alone will account for 177.4 miles of this overall figure.Meanwhile, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Brentford will count for 21.2, 26, and 24 miles respectively.Mikel Arteta and co might have feared travel fatigue from an unfavourable FA Cup third-round tie in tonight’s draw.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHowever, they were spared any with new travel arrangements in tonight’s FA Cup third-round draw as they were drawn at the Emirates against Manchester United. It means they will face Crystal Palace and Man Utd twice during the run.Moment huge brawl breaks out in West Ham end with punches thrown and fan knocked to ground in London derby vs ArsenalAfter their 5-2 win over West Ham on Saturday, which in itself was a trip of 11.8 miles, Arsenal are nine points off of league leaders Liverpool.The favourable fixture list of not travelling a lot could help them close that gap.In the same period, Arne Slot’s side travel to Newcastle, Girona, Southampton, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Brentford – none of which are exactly around the corner.Regardless, Arsenal will be aiming to take advantage and chase down the leaders by the end of the season, though a nine-point lead at this stage of the season has never been lost before in Prem history.Arsenal ratings vs West HamWEST HAM and Arsenal served up one of the finest London derbies in recent memory on Saturday night, with SEVEN goals in the first half alone.The Gunners sailed into a 4-0 lead in the opening 35 minutes before the Hammers reduced the deficit with two quickfire goals, including a sublime Emerson free-kick.Bukayo Saka’s penalty on the stroke of half-time made it 5-2, becoming only the fourth Premier League match in history to see seven goals before the break.A relatively lacklustre second half followed, with Mikel Arteta ringing the changes, particularly with Wednesday night’s showdown with Man Utd at the Emirates in the back of his mind.The result pulled the Gunners up to second in the Premier League table, six points behind Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s huge showdown between the leaders and a struggling Man City.Read how SunSport’s Charlie Pittock rated the Gunners stars. More

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      Fans claim FA Cup draw is ‘rigged’ as Man City and Liverpool get lower league opponents but Man Utd face Arsenal

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      THE FA CUP third round draw led to furious reactions from a few disappointed fans, with some going as far as to describe it as “rigged”.The third round draw’s most exciting tie is between Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United, who will face off on the weekend of January 11 at the Emirates.Some angry fans claim the FA Cup draw is ‘rigged’Arsenal drew Manchester United and their rivals are facing lower-league teamsIn contrast, Arsenal and United’s rivals were drawn against lower-league opponents.Manchester City got Salford, Chelsea drew Morecambe, Liverpool were paired with Accrington Stanley and Tottenham will face Tamworth.And some fans believe the difference of quality between those ties makes the draw, which was conducted by former Manchester United players Mark Hughes and Dion Dublin, look suspicious.One fan tweeted: “Absolutely f*****g rigged.”Read More on FootballAnother commented: “That’s fixed. Arsenal vs Utd. I’m sure he (Dublin or Hughes) didn’t even mix them around.”A third wrote: “Watching the FA Cup draw and what the hell.”This fan said: “City vs Salford. Liverpool vs Accrington. Chelsea vs Morecambe… Arsenal vs United. Of course.”And that one stated: “Calling fix, United getting drawn away to Arsenal, City getting Salford at home and Liverpool getting an effective nobody.”Most read in FA CupThe draw was conducted at Old TraffordMark Hughes and Dion Dublin pulled out the ballsBut of course there is absolutely no indication that supports those wild claims.Man Utd won the FA Cup last season thanks to a 2-1 win over rivals Man City in the Wembley final, which saved former manager Erik ten Hag’s job.Arsenal v Man Utd FA Cup historyAFTER drawing each other in the third round of the FA Cup, it will be the 17th time Arsenal and Manchester United have faced off in the competition.They previously met in the 1997 and 2005 finals, both won by Arsenal.The last match came in 2019, which was won by United.Overall Arsenal have six wins while United have eight, while they share two draws.United’s tally of 22 goals is also superior to Arsenal’s 20 in these games.Wayne Rooney is the top scorer in the fixture, with three of his goals against the North London side coming in the FA Cup.Bukayo Saka leads Arsenal’s tally at the moment with six goals, though these have all been in the Premier League.Bizarre moment man dressed as Elsa from Frozen sings Let It Go karaoke on pitch ahead of FA Cup first-round clashThe Red Devils will be facing the most successful team in the competition’s history, with Arsenal winning the trophy a record 14 times.However, if Ruben Amorim’s side were to go all the way they would draw level with the Gunners’ total. More

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      ‘I’m surprised’: Ex-Prem ref responds as VAR helps Arsenal again with controversial Saka and Timber calls at West Ham

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      ARSENAL’s victory over West Ham was comprehensive, but it wasn’t without controversy following some questionable VAR calls.The Gunners won 5-2 after an entertaining Premier League encounter against the Hammers on Saturday at the London Stadium.Arsenal picked up a controversial victory over West HamCredit: GettyFormer Premier League referee and SunSport columnist Mark Halsey addressed all the controversyCredit: RexThe London rivals played out a seven-goal thriller in the first half that saw the visitors lead 4-0 by the 36th minute with goals by Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz.However, West Ham got back in the game with two goals within two minutes thanks to Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Palmieri.But Arsenal knocked the wind out of the East Londoners’ sales in the fifth minute of stoppage time with a controversial penalty that Gabriel earned and Bukayo Saka scored.Former Premier League referee and SunSport columnist Mark Halsey addressed all the controversy on Whistleblower.Read More on ArsenalHalsey started by analysing Arsenal’s final goal that ended West Ham’s hopes of a dramatic comeback.Saka whipped in a corner-kick from the right and Gabriel got the header that sent the ball way over the crossbar.But then referee Anthony Taylor deemed Lukasz Fabianski caught the centre-back in the face in his attempt to punch the ball away.Taylor booked Fabianski in front of a shocked crowd and Saka scored from the penalty spot.Most read in FootballHalsey told SunSport’s Will Pugh: “I think when the cross comes over and the ball comes over like that, you’re going to have contact between players at every occasion. You’re going to have contact. And it’s subjective. “We have seen penalties given in those sort of situations where a keeper has come out. But there’s been a lot more contact than we saw at the weekend.Jorginho tells Arsenal star Bukayo Saka to become England’s fifth-ever Ballon d’Or winner and end 23-year wait “Anthony Taylor’s given it. He’s taken some time to think about it. And he’s given it. And VAR are not going to overrule that, because obviously we’ve heard Howard Webb say that we want to stick with the on-field decision on those situations, on a subjective decision.”So, listen, yeah, I mean, had he not given that as a penalty, that would have stayed not given. It does seem that it did take four or five seconds to give the decision whether he was influenced by Gabriel on the floor, holding his head, his face and players sort of surrounding him. “So, as I said, had it not been given, it would have stayed not given. It would have stayed with the on-field decision.”Arsenal players weren’t really claiming for anything. It all went quiet in the ground. And then all of a sudden, there’s a penalty check for God knows what. And then Arsenal scored.”Halsey, though, was categorically against the way the referee and VAR handled Arsenal’s opener that saw Saka’s corner-kick from the right finding Gabriel who beat Fabianski with a clinical header.Jurrien Timber appeared to have fouled Lucas Paqueta, who covered the near post and could have easily headed the cross away.’I’m surprised’However, Timber seemed to have pushed him from behind and that didn’t allow Paqueta to clear the ball.Halsey added: “Well, again, we’re talking about inconsistency, aren’t we? Regarding decisions when a goal is scored. Was it a foul? Was it not a foul?”So, yeah, listen, for me, I think it’s a clear free-kick. And I’m surprised that VAR didn’t recommend a review.”Halsey also addressed Arsenal’s first penalty that saw Paqueta fouling Saka inside the West Ham area on 34 minutes.It seemed like there was very little contact and the England international didn’t go down immediately.Nevertheless, the decision stood and the North Londoners’ captain Odegaard converted from the spot to make it 3-0.Halsey said: “When he sticks his leg out like that, you run the risk. And I just want to see players, when they are challenged like that, just go down straight away.”Don’t need to take one or two more steps, then go down. Listen, had that not been given, it would have stayed.”Possibly not given. Because as I say, there was just slight, slight contact. But once the referee has given it…READ MORE SUN STORIES”Listen, I think he’s just guessed as in the way he’s gone in and Paqueta’s gone over. And he’s been safe and given a free-kick. “But we can all see that it’s not a free-kick and he has clearly won the ball. But in real time, it possibly looked like it’s a free-kick.” More

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      Jorginho says Arsenal dressing room tease Gabriel over his ‘Batman’ celebration but love Brazilian’s goal record

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      NOT many central defenders in world football feel the need to have a trademark goal celebration.But then again, not many are as deadly with their head as Arsenal’s Gabriel.Gabriel showed off his trademark celebration at the London StadiumCredit: AlamyGabriel scored his fourth of the season in all competitions with another headerCredit: AFPThe Brazilian centre back’s 10th minute header to open the scoring against West Ham at the London Stadium was his third in the Premier League this season – and fourth in all competitions.That takes his headed tally to 12 in the league since arriving in England in September 2020 – just five away from Virgil van Dijk and Sami Hyppia in the Prem all-time headed goal chart.And while he is still 15 away from John Terry’s tally, only a fool would bet against Gabriel edging closer to – or even surpassing – that target this term, let alone by the time the 26-year-old calls it a day in North London.His latest offering – a flicked header from a Bukayo Saka corner in a 5-2 thrashing of a woeful Hammers outfit – was followed by an unusual celebration, interlinking his fingers over his eyes.read more arsenalIt was first on show this campaign in Tuesday night’s 5-1 Champions League victory away at Sporting Lisbon, with some suggesting it was done to mock Viktor Gyokeres’ similar goal-getting theatrics – the Swede’s fingers covering his mouth instead.But a repeat showing in East London perhaps quashes those theories.Gabriel’s version is said to be a nod to comic book legend Batman – backed up by Arsenal’s social media team posting a masked superhero emoji moments after the header.Expect to see that celebration a lot more over the coming weeks with Arsenal’s set-piece efficiency back on show having overcome a recent four-match winless Prem slump to reignite a title charge.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt is not stopping Gabriel’s teammates teasing, though. Jorginho admitted: “We make fun of [the celebration] and he has fun with it as well. It is great stuff what is happening.”After five different goal scorers in Lisbon, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal repeated that feat against West Ham with Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Saka also netting in the first half.Moment huge brawl breaks out in West Ham end with punches thrown and fan knocked to ground in London derby vs ArsenalAaron Wan Bissaka and Emerson scored to briefly make it 4-2 but the visitors’ comeback was short-lived.Yet the name up in lights is Gabriel’s – the last player to leave the pitch on Saturday night as he soaked up the admiration of the away end by orchestrating the chants.His goal came from a slightly altered NFL-style routine conjured up by set-piece coach Nicolas Jover with Gabriel given freedom to roam at the back post while the others act as blockers.How West Ham allowed Arsenal’s biggest threat a free header is anyone’s guess. It is not exactly a secret where the ball is going – the corner-takers even point to Gabriel before their delivery.Asked how you stop Gabriel, Jorginho laughed: “I’m not going to tell you! He’s really good and it requires a lot of work from the whole team. Everyone does their job and then he’s a real threat.“He’s been so helpful to us.”Arteta added: “The more [Gabriel scores] the more you believe it. You can tell straight away from the body language of the player, how they communicate, that something is coming up.“To have various ways of scoring goals makes the team more unpredictable, the opposition have to work on many more things. It’s a good thing for us.”There is some concern over Gabriel’s fitness ahead of Wednesday’s Prem clash with Manchester United at the Emirates after he was subbed at half-time as a precaution owing to an ongoing muscular problem picked up in Lisbon.But Arsenal are heading into the festive period looking back to their best, winning their last three in all competitions and scoring 13 in the process, including a 3-0 home victory over Nottingham Forest.Arteta’s men also have the advantage of not leaving London for any games until January 4.READ MORE SUN STORIESJorginho said: “We are in a good momentum now. We need to carry on and focus.“Having players back from injury, having the whole squad available, has made a huge difference. We fixed something that wasn’t working and now it is.” More