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Premier League reacts as Kenya’s Serem hits Gyokeres’ trademark celebration at Commonwealth Games
29th July, 2026 06:34 PM
One of the biggest talking points from around the Premier League on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, is Viktor Gyokeres’ famous goal celebration making its way into athletics.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres’ well-known mask celebration has found admirers outside football after being copied by two athletes competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Kenyan steeplechase star Edmund Serem, who claimed gold in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase on Monday, July 27, 2026, celebrated by placing his interlocked fingers over his mouth in tribute to the Swedish forward.
The reigning World Under-20 steeplechase champion stormed to victory in 8:18.23, ahead of compatriots Simon Koech, who claimed silver in 8:18.59, and Leonard Bett, who completed the all-Kenyan podium with bronze in 8:21.63.
Following his victory, Serem explained: “My celebration is about my favourite Arsenal footballer, the best striker in the world. I have never met him, but maybe one of these days it will happen.”
A day later, Cameroonian sprinter Emmanuel Eseme also performed the same celebration after winning the men’s 100m title.
Eseme competes for Portuguese club Sporting, where Gyokeres previously starred before completing his move to Arsenal in 2025.
Speaking previously about the celebration, Eseme said: “I liked the way he played. He was strong, very determined. I didn’t know the meaning of his mask, but then I decided to give it a meaning.”
“It looks similar to a pirate mask. When pirates go somewhere, they change everything that’s happening, and I believe that’s what I’m doing in athletics.”
After qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Eseme even received a congratulatory video from Gyokeres.
Reflecting on that gesture, he added: “It just motivated me to keep on going harder. To be able to represent the mask.”
Gyokeres’ impact
Gyokeres faced criticism during first days of his campaign in north London. However, as the season progressed, the forward was pivotal in Mikel Arteta’s squad that eventually won the Premier League after 22 years.
Coming to his aid while struggling to adapt, Arteta said: And Arteta said: “Confidence is the magic word. When you feel confident, when you feel important, when you feel at your best, that’s when you can really take your game to the highest level.
“We are really behind him in every moment to try to help him, to try to support him. And he is delivering, and he’s in a really good moment now. Obviously, when you put that shirt on, there is a lot of responsibility and huge expectation, and you need to live with that,” the Spanish tactician said.
