Bruno Guimaraes marked his first goal for Arsenal with a pointed social media message directed at Sunderland supporters during Saturday evening’s Premier League encounter at the Stadium of Light.
The Brazil international, who completed a 75million transfer to the Gunners from Newcastle United during the summer window, endured a hostile reception upon his arrival at the venue, with home supporters voicing their displeasure throughout the evening due to his four-year tenure on Tyneside.
The 28-year-old entered the pitch as a second-half substitute but required mere minutes to make his presence felt among the 48,707 spectators present.
Guimaraes collected possession in space on the periphery of the penalty area during the 58th minute before unleashing a strike of considerable power that beat goalkeeper Robin Roefs.
The midfielder then celebrated by sprinting away while performing a gesture indicating smallness toward the home crowd.
Bukayo Saka doubled the visitors advantage deep into stoppage time, converting from the penalty spot after Reinildo had brought him down inside the area.
The substitute defender subsequently received his second yellow card of the match, reducing Sunderland to ten men for the closing stages.
Following the final whistle, Guimaraes uploaded a photograph compilation documenting his goal and subsequent celebration to social media accompanied by a caption suggesting those present understood his message.
The reference to the phrase associated with his celebration stemmed from abuse hurled by a supporter as the player approached the stadium, rather than any criticism aimed at Newcastle supporters following his switch to North London.
Sunderland now occupy 14th position in the Premier League table following the two-goal defeat.
The club prepares for its first European fixture since 1973, with an upcoming home meeting against AZ Alkmaar scheduled for Wednesday before attention turns to a league encounter against Manchester City on the following Sunday.