Martin Odegaard's goal celebration for Arsenal after breaking the deadlock against Watford has been explained.
The 23-year-old wasted no time in putting the Gunners ahead at Vicarage Road, linking up with Bukayo Saka down the right-hand side before stroking the ball home as early as the fifth minute.
After celebrating with the likes of Saka, Alexandre Lacazette, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and his Arsenal teammates, Odegaard broke away from the pack before preparing for the restart.
This decision was made as the Norway international had a special message to get across and he used a pitchside camera to speak to those watching around the world.
With one hand on his stomach, Odegaard held his other hand up and made the peace sign with his fingers.
Whilst the playmaker hasn't publicly explained his goal celebration, Arsenal fans on Twitter and Reddit think they have deciphered the message, highlighting a classy touch from Odegaard.
As many are aware, the war in Ukraine is the story that has dominated every major news outlet over the past week.
And football has responded to Russia's invasion of Ukraine with gestures of solidarity as seen by Manchester United and Manchester City players wearing 'no to war' t-shirts before Sunday's Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium.
Meanwhile, at Vicarage Road and across every Premier League ground at the weekend, there was a minute's applause to show support before kick-off.
Therefore, the theory is that Odegaard's celebration was him calling for world peace.
@fopara03 said: "Odegaard's "peace to the world" sign celebration after scoring was it for me!"
Reddit user Ødegaard said: "Probably asking for peace - alluding to what’s happening in Ukraine."
Speaking about Odegaard's performance, ex-Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was waxing lyrical about the midfielder as well as Saka during the game.
Taking to social media, the Spaniard summed up the pair's first-half showing at Vicarage Road before making a bold prediction that many Gunners supporters will hope comes true.
"Saka and Ødegaard are the present and future of Arsenal," he wrote. "Two big, big talents."
