Refreshed Gilberto is desperate to get better

Gilberto Silva claims he will be a fitter and fresher player when he returns to the scene of his glorious debut as Arsenal take on champions Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Brazil midfielder Gilberto, who scored the winner against Liverpool last season when coming on as a substitute at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, said: "I had no time off at all after the World Cup, hardly a break. But this season, I feel much better. I had the rest that I didn't have last year."

"I went back to Brazil and was able to relax my body and my mind. I feel so much better and will need to be because this is going to be a hard season with many teams fighting for the title. I think it will be more difficult than last season.

"I finished the campaign quite strongly. It was before the end that I felt tired at times. I feel better in myself, though, to handle that challenge."

Although Arsenal have been left behind by Chelsea's huge spending spree, Gilberto is in no doubt about the quality of the team around him at Highbury.

He added: "We have a very good squad, an excellent one full of great players. As for myself, I am always trying to improve my game, to get better.

"I hope to achieve that because now I have more experience and this season I have one ambition - to play better than last year.

"I have had a good pre-season in Austria and I believe I can do it."

Gilberto will be playing in a familiar set of colours for a Brazilian, as the Gunners are to use their new away kit of yellow shirts and navy shorts in Cardiff.

Arsenal will be without Martin Keown for the game, though he should be available for the first Premiership match, against Everton at Highbury a week tomorrow.