Bukayo Saka can’t resist trolling James Maddison with goal celebration in Arsenal vs Spurs

Bukayo Saka put Arsenal in front at the Emirates and fans quickly spotted his celebration was a less-than-subtle dig towards Tottenham midfielder James Maddison

Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring vs Tottenham

Bukayo Saka taunted James Maddison by copying his celebration after opening the scoring in the North London Derby.

The Arsenal superstar put the hosts in front shortly before the half-hour mark as he cut inside and shot, with his effort finding the corner via a Cristian Romero deflection. And he sent Gunners fans wild by replicating Maddison’s iconic dart throw celebration directly down the Sky Sports cameras.

The two sides came into the derby unbeaten for the first time in the Premier League era, with both picking up 13 points from a possible 15. But it was Arsenal who quickly asserted their dominance, with their press causing Ange Postecoglou’s side issues.

Spurs fans thought their side had opened the scoring through Son Heung-min, but replays showed he was clearly offside. Eddie Nketiah then had the first big chance of the game, as he capitalised on a stray Destiny Udogie pass. He fired at goal, only for Guglielmo Vicario to turn it round for a corner.

But the Italian keeper had no chance just minutes later when Romero’s deflection, from Saka’s curling effort, left him completely stranded. “Well it’s been coming, and it’s been coming down that right-hand side from Saka,” Gary Neville said on commentary for Sky Sports.

“When Udogie finally gets some help from Brennan Johnson, he arrives with Ben White but they both go for White and leave Saka open. Johnson should go straight to Saka.

“Some will say it’s unlucky from Romero but I think it’s rash from the defender, he just whaffs a leg at it, he’d be better off leaving it instead. Once he makes contact, it leaves Vicario with absolutely no chance.

Saka poked fun at James Maddison’s dart throw celebration

Neville added: “As Romero, you know Saka loves aiming for the far corner so he should be setting his feet but he doesn’t. He just sticks a knee out, it’s an awkward height for him but he has to do better there.”

And Saka had no issues trolling his England colleague, with fans on social media quick to acknowledge the incident. “Saka is cheeky how can he do Maddison’s celebration,” one said.

“Saka did Maddison’s celebration I’m crying,” another posted. “Ain’t no way Saka just did the Maddison darts celebration,” a third wrote on social media.

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Some questioned whether it could come back to bite him however, posting: “Saka using James Maddison ’s ‘darts’ celebration after scoring but let’s be honest mate, it’s been given as an own goal because you didn’t really hit the target did you…. So jokes on you if anything.”

And Maddison’s afternoon almost went from bad to worse shortly after the goal, when he was dispossessed by Gabriel Jesus on the edge of his own box. The Spurs midfielder was attempting to start a passage of play when Jesus pinched possession only to fire over.

Spurs equalised before the break through Son, before Saka doubled his tally from the spot in the second half, repeating his celebration. His joy didn’t last long though, less than two minutes later, Maddison squared the ball to Son for him to complete a brace.

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