Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has sent a warning to Manchester City that the Premier League champions have no intention of treating Sunday’s Community Shield meeting as a pre-season friendly.
The two sides meet at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium for the traditional curtain-raiser to the new Premier League campaign. The fixture was moved from its usual Wembley home this year because of scheduling conflicts at the national stadium.
For City, it marks Maresca’s first competitive fixture in charge since succeeding Pep Guardiola, and an early opportunity to set the tone for a squad reshaped by a demanding summer of transition.
Arsenal, fresh off a Premier League title win last season, have made clear they see the occasion as more than ceremonial. Asked directly whether the Community Shield amounted to little more than a glorified friendly, Gyokeres was unambiguous.
“Against City? As a friendly? I don’t know what other people think but we want to win that game of course, for sure,” Gyokeres said, dismissing any suggestion that his side would treat the occasion lightly.
A first test of Maresca’s rebuilding job
The comments will register at City’s Etihad Campus, where Maresca has spent the summer attempting to stamp his own identity on a squad still adjusting to life.
Maresca, who arrives with a reputation built on possession-based football at Leicester City and Chelsea, has so far kept his pre-season approach relatively impressive.
But a defeat to a rival who beat them to the title last season, on the first weekend that silverware is on offer, would represent an uncomfortable start to his reign regardless of any pre-season caveats.
Arsenal, for their part, arrive in Cardiff with their own selection of statement pieces. Gyokeres pointed to the value of early-season momentum, explaining that securing silverware carries benefits beyond the trophy itself
Winning “gives you confidence” and “a boost with everything that comes with it,” in his words, before adding that Arsenal want to make sure they are properly prepared heading into the new campaign.
Guimaraes arrival adds fresh edge to rivalry
Arsenal have also strengthened their midfield options through the £75m signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, a deal completed in the days before the Cardiff fixture.
Gyokeres welcomed the Brazilian’s arrival warmly, saying he expects the midfielder to bring energy and quality to Mikel Arteta’s squad, and that he has “only positive things to say” about the move. For City supporters, the timing is notable. Guimaraes has long been admired across the Premier League for his ball-winning and progressive passing.
Meanwhile, the two clubs have shared a keenly contested recent history in cup competitions. Arsenal have also historically fared well in Community Shield contests specifically, arriving in Cardiff on the back of a strong record in the fixture in recent years.
For Maresca, though, history will count for little on Sunday. His focus will be on delivering an opening result that offers early reassurance to a fanbase still processing a summer of significant change.
