%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
New Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres has a pretty iconic celebration. When he scores, he covers the lower half of his face like a mask, but why?
Arsenal made a pretty big statement when they signed Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP this summer. For many seasons, Arsenal fans and critics both were saying that a striker needed to be signed and for many seasons, that claim was ignored by the hierarchy... Until now.
Heading into the 2025/26 season, Arsenal will have a lethal center forward for the first time since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. With better players around him than Auba had, Gyokeres is better placed for success in North London.
So, hopefully, Arsenal fans will see more of his iconic celebration. But what exactly does it mean?
The meaning behind Viktor Gyokeres' iconic celebration
Whenever Viktor Gyokeres scores a goal, the center forward covers the lower half of his face, with both of his hands interlocked. Gyokeres then stares into the camera or the crowd with this mask figure.
The celebration catches the eye, because it's slightly unorthodox. Typically, we think of goal celebrations as being overjoyous or flaunting, but this playful spin is the opposite of both of those traits. It's also rather unique.
Gyokeres has kept this celebration for many years now, even stretching back to his days with English side Coventry City. But what exactly does it mean?
Well, Gyokeres himself has never confirmed the true meaning behind his celebration. However, he has made references to the prominent Batman villain, Bane. In the past on Instagram, Gyokeres has referenced it by saying "nobody cared until I put on the mask," a similar sentiment to Bane.
So, Gyokeres is clearly a DC fan. Interestingly, he's also partial to the villain, which might show what Arsenal should expect.
In many ways, Gyokeres didn't come to the Premier League to make friends. Yeah, he'll play it nice with his Arsenal teammates, but he wants to be the villain to Premier League defenders.
They might not have cared about Gyokeres before he put on the mask, but now that he's worn the mask, he's become an Arsenal player.
And there's so much expectation around his name. Arsenal fans haven't been this excited for a new player since Declan Rice, their most expensive signing ever. If Gyokeres has even half the impact that Rice had, he has every reason to wear the mask.