Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres delivered a viral four-word response when a reporter asked if the Gunners would treat their upcoming FA Community Shield match against Manchester City on August 16 as a pre-season friendly. When posed the question, Gyokeres simply replied, "What do you mean?"
The exchange comes as Mikel Arteta’s squad navigates a challenging pre-season schedule. Arsenal recently suffered a 3-2 defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup on August 9. In that match, Borussia Dortmund took a commanding lead with first-half goals from Samuele Inacio and Konstantinos Karetsas. Although Ethan Nwaneri pulled one back for the Gunners early in the second half, a 58th-minute goal from Joane Gadou extended the lead for Niko Kovac’s side. Gyokeres successfully converted a penalty 11 minutes later, but Arsenal could not find an equalizer, marking their second consecutive pre-season loss.
Arsenal’s pre-season form has been varied. They began with a 3-0 closed-doors victory over MK Dons last month at the Sobha Realty Training Centre and a 4-1 win against Girona at the Montilivi on August 1, featuring goals from Kai Havertz and Max Dowman. However, they subsequently lost 3-1 to Real Betis in Dublin, where Piero Hincapie scored for the Gunners. Arsenal is scheduled to conclude their pre-season preparations with a match against Como, managed by former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, this Wednesday.
The Gunners are aiming to add to their history in the Community Shield, where they rank as the second-most successful club with 17 titles. They last won the trophy in 2023, defeating Manchester City 4-1 on penalties. Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City side has experienced their own mixed results, including a shootout loss to Inter Milan in Hong Kong and consecutive 3-1 victories in Seoul against Team K-League and Atletico Madrid, the latter featuring a brace from Omar Marmoush.
Gyokeres pulled one back 11 minutes later from the spot, but an equaliser wasn't to be as the Gunners succumbed to their second pre-season loss in as many games.With less than a week to go before their Community Shield clash with Enzo Maresca's City, Gyokeres replied when asked whether the game would be treated as a friendly (as per Sport Bible):"What do you mean?" View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe Gunners are the second-most successful side in Community Shield history, with 17 titles, five behind leaders Manchester United.
