Arsenal attacker Viktor Gyokeres is relishing the chance to renew the club's rivalry with Manchester City in the Community Shield after finding the target in the 3-2 Emirates Cup defeat to Borussia Dortmund
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres was on target for Arsenal in the 3-2 friendly defeat to Borussia Dortmund
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Viktor Gyokeres insists Arsenal want to lay down a marker against Manchester City in the Community Shield - even if it's perceived to be a glorified friendly.
The Swede, who converted a second-half penalty in the Gunners' 3-2 Emirates Cup defeat to Borussia Dortmund, does not view Sunday's blockbuster collision in Cardiff as an exhibition.
Instead, he wants Arsenal to prove exactly why they are Premier League champions, explaining: "Against City? As a friendly? [while pulling a face which suggests he thinks that concept is nonsense], I don’t know what other people think but we want to win that game of course, for sure.
"When you win titles, you get confidence, you get a boost with everything that comes with it.
"So, yeah, it's only positive things with that. We want to make sure that we're not only on top of that but that we're ready for the new season."
The entirety of Arsenal's World Cup stars - outside of sidelined William Saliba - are now back training in a major boost for Mikel Arteta.
But they are not the only ones being integrated into the squad this week as marquee £75million signing Bruno Guimaraes is also ready to stamp his authority on the side.
Gyokeres is relishing the chance to play alongside the all-action Brazilian dynamo, stating: "Yeah, we're all very happy. He's an extremely good player and I think he will bring a lot of energy and his qualities to the team. I only have positive things to say."
Guimaraes' arrival, sandwiched between friendly defeats to Real Betis and BVB, has lifted a wounded fanbase. While Arsenal shifted heaven and earth to sign Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, it wasn't to be.
Gyokeres seemingly isn't phased by the blow, however, explaining on the back of the news that Vini Jr has penned a new lucrative contract with Los Blancos: "I don't know; you see some things sometimes and yeah, there are a lot of things going around all the time. So yeah nothing to say about that."
Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes is ready to add steel to Arsenal's midfield(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Having shipped three goals in each of the past two matches, there is plenty to improve ahead of the club's season-opener at home to Gyokeres' former side, Coventry City, on August 21.
It's a match the 28-year-old is relishing as he bids to start the campaign like a house on fire. He continued: "Dortmund played man-to-man, when they attacked, they rotated a lot and made runs in behind.
"It was a good test for us and we learned what we have to do much better defensively. The third goal came from a corner, the other two goals at the beginning were of course frustrating as well.
"It is going to be great to see a few of those that are still there. But we have games before that. You can think about it [starting the season as champions] in a million different ways.
"If it is harder or not I don’t know but it will be difficult to win the league, even if you won it last season it is still a big challenge.
"It is the best league in the world and a lot of teams are in very good shape with very good players. We won last season and we will try to win it this season as well."
Gyokeres was also asked whether he sees the same hunger when he looks into the eyes of his manager. His answer was simple: "More hunger."
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