Jokeres: I feel much better than during the last pre-season training

Arsenal's Swedish striker Viktor Jokeres has revealed that he is now in a much higher level of fitness than he was a year ago when he first joined the London club. The 28-year-old forward joined the Gunners last summer for £64m as a top scorer with 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting Lisbon. His first season at the Emirates proved somewhat erratic, with the player facing criticism and starting just 26 of the 36 Premier League matches in which he appeared. However, Jokeres finished the campaign with 21 goals in 55 appearances in all competitions. This result helped Arsenal achieve the incredible success of winning their first league title in 22 years and reaching the Champions League final. Arsenal lost 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund in Sunday's Emirates Cup friendly final. It was Yokeres who scored one of the Londoners' goals, confidently converting a penalty in the second half. "I'm feeling much, much better than last pre-season. I've had more time to prepare and physically I'm feeling very, very good. It was great to come back and feel the atmosphere and see the fans again. Of course, we wanted to achieve a better result. All the players are now gradually returning from the World Cup, so I am sure that we will be ready for everything that awaits us," Viktor was quoted as saying by the club's official website. The match against Dortmund was memorable not only for the game: before the starting whistle, the Gunners loudly introduced star newcomer Bruno Guimaraes to the public, and team captain Martin Edegaard took to the field for the first time this summer. Head coach Mikel Arteta expects to have a full squad at his disposal on Monday after the players return from the World Cup. Arteta's wards have a busy schedule ahead. On Wednesday, Arsenal will hold another sparring match — this time against Italian Como, led by ex-Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas. And already on Sunday at the stadium in Cardiff, the Londoners will fight for the Super Cup of England against the winner of the English Cup, Manchester City. The defense of the dream championship title of the Premier League will begin for the Londoners on August 21 with a home match against the newcomer of the elite division - Coventry.