LONDON : Arsenal are targeting victory in Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester City as they look to start the new season with silverware, with manager Mikel Arteta saying his squad have returned refreshed and highly motivated.
Premier League champions Arsenal will face FA Cup winners City in the traditional season curtain-raiser in Cardiff.
Arsenal, who ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title last season, are also looking to put a disappointing Champions League final defeat by Paris St Germain behind them.
“It (the Community Shield) is a trophy, one that we can have because we earned it last year from winning the Premier League,” Arteta told reporters.
“You can tell how hungry the players are, which is a good sign. I love the way the players have come back, most of them earlier than expected. Really fit, we’ve done all the testing. They all seem in great condition.”
Arteta said Arsenal’s priority was to hit top form immediately.
“The best version of Arsenal has to be on Sunday. That’s the intention. The best performance, the best way to start the season by lifting the first trophy,” he said.
The north London club have strengthened their squad during the close season, with Bruno Guimaraes arriving from Newcastle United alongside Christos Tzolis and goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Arsenal were also linked with Brazil forward Vinicius Jr, but the 26-year-old opted to extend his contract with Real Madrid.
Arteta said the new arrivals had increased competition within the squad as Arsenal seek to improve on last season.
“It’s a very exciting part of the season,” he said. “There’s an opportunity to evolve and understand how every player is feeling. We are trying the maximum within 13 or 14 days to compete for every possible position.
“I’m not going to talk about individuals. The ambition of the club is big. We want to improve and evolve the squad. We have detected the areas that can be strengthened.”
