How does that saying go? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?
On Tuesday night, Arsenal FC traveled to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea FC in a London derby. It was a highly entertaining match that ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw.
In the 63rd minute, 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal’s first goal on the night to bring the Gunners level with their rivals.
What’s interesting from a Paris Saint-Germain perspective is that the Brazilian celebrated by copying Kylian Mbappé’s folded arms celebration.
Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen Premier League players copy Mbappé. The Liverpool FC defender with three first names, Trent Alexander-Arnold, recently did the same celebration.
Desperately looking for anything positive to cling to this season, Arsenal fans took to social media after the goal and made some pretty bold and hilarious claims. Here are a few of my favorites:
What are they smoking at Arsenal?
The origin of the celebration actually comes from Mbappé’s brother, Ethan, while the two were playing a game of FIFA. The younger Mbappé did the celebration after scoring a goal in the video game and suggested that Kylian do the celebration during an actual match.
That’s one version, but there’s evidence to believe that Neymar Jr. was the first to do the celebration. You be the judge.
Congrats to Arsenal on the draw against Chelsea. Martinelli, who signed with the club last summer, has propelled the Gunners to 10th in the Premier League table with a highly anticipated UEFA Europa League tie against Olympiacos FC coming up.
Mbappé, who has already won a FIFA World Cup with France, is competing in four competitions with Paris Saint-Germain, including the UEFA Champions League. He recently stated that he hopes to win that trophy as well as this summer’s UEFA Euro 2020 and Olympic gold with France.
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