Gabriel assisted Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, while Sesko made his debut as a second-half substitute on Sunday.
Arsenal fans believe Gabriel Magalhaes made a subtle dig at Benjamin Sesko after the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s squad began their 2025/26 Premier League campaign on a high note, while Ruben Amorim and his Manchester United team struggled despite a valiant effort.
Riccardo Calafiori’s first-half header was enough to secure all three points for the away team, which had just nine shots to United’s 22.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo made their competitive debuts for United, while Viktor Gyokeres, a former transfer target, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke earned their Premier League debuts for Arteta’s side.
Meanwhile, United’s new £74 million striker Sesko started on the bench at Old Trafford before replacing Mason Mount with 25 minutes to go.
Despite the euphoria surrounding the Slovenian’s entrance, he failed to make an effect as Arsenal’s centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel demonstrated their abilities.
Both Gyokeres and Sesko were involved in a summer-long transfer saga.
Arsenal had a long-term interest in Sesko, but decided to sign the Sweden international, who had previously been on United’s radar.
Neither man will be completely satisfied with their debut performances, given that they both failed to score or make significant inroads into their opponents’ defense.
Gyokeres had only 21 touches, completed four of his nine attempted passes, and failed to register a single shot on goal before being substituted by Kai Havertz at the hour mark.
Sesko took two shots and completed four of five attempted passes.
Then, following the game, Arsenal’s Gabriel posted a number of photos on his Instagram account, including one of him battling Sesko in the air, which some fans believe was a veiled dig at the Slovenian.
https://www.instagram.com/_gabrielmagalhaes/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=23451923-58a0-41e6-b424-1bb8332ad7ac
One admirer said, “Dunked on him. “Big Gabi expected a challenge.”
Another said, “SESKO met Gabriel and lost his JUMP POWER.”
A third stated, “Gabriel, dude. What a player. What a player. “Šeško came on and swallowed him up in seconds.”
A fourth individual laughed: “Sesko saw that Saliba and Gabriel pairing and told Amorin he would prefer to start from the bench.”
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