Arsenal fans on social media were left stunned during their team’s Champions League clash on Tuesday when they noticed something unusual involving new signing Riccardo Calafiori.
Arsenal had just secured a 2-0 win over French champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium, marking their first European victory of the season. The goals came from Kai Havertz, who opened the scoring in the 20th minute, and captain Bukayo Saka, who doubled the lead with a spectacular free kick just before the break.
While the goals were memorable, it was Calafiori’s actions that caught the attention of many fans. In the 76th minute, after receiving a yellow card, the defender was seen putting something into his mouth, which sparked a wave of speculation online.
Some fans thought it might have been a vape handed to him by teammate Declan Rice, with one fan even commenting, “Did I just see Rice pass Calafiori a vape?” Others made light of the situation, joking about the idea of Calafiori needing “vape breaks” during the match. However, many supporters pointed out that what Calafiori likely consumed was an energy gel, a common tool used by professional athletes to maintain energy levels during intense matches.
Energy gels are widely used in sports, especially during high-performance events, to help players recover or maintain their stamina. These gels, which are packed with simple sugars, are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, offering a fast boost of energy. Each gel typically contains around 25 grams of carbohydrates, which provides about 45 minutes of sustained energy. In football, players usually consume them during halftime or other short breaks in play.
This context led several fans to urge others not to jump to conclusions about Calafiori’s behavior, explaining that energy gels are a standard part of athlete recovery and performance strategies, especially in games as demanding as a Champions League fixture.
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