Arnett Gardens head coach Xavier Gilbert says his team is highly motivated and fully focused as they are set to begin preparation to defend their title at the upcoming Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield, which kicks off on July 26 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The reigning champions were drawn in Group D alongside Club Franciscain (Martinique), Scholars International SC (Cayman Islands), Dublanc FC (Dominica), AC Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), and Anguilla's Docs United.

For Gilbert and his squad, the tournament offers not only a chance to add silverware to the trophy cabinet but also an opportunity to secure a coveted place in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup—the next rung on the regional football ladder.

"It’s also the only silverware we can get for this season. So that in itself is a motivation, as well as playing in the Concacaf Championship. The players understand what’s at stake. We know it won’t be an easy group, but we embrace the challenge," Gilbert said.

Xavier Gilbert with striker Fabian Reid.

The seventh edition of the CFU Shield will run through August 3, with the champions and runners-up advancing to the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, which features 10 clubs vying for regional supremacy.

Gilbert acknowledged that the timing of the tournament, well ahead of the start of the new Jamaican Premier League season, adds another layer of preparation complexity. But rather than seeing it as an obstacle, he views it as an advantage.

"Hopefully we can get the ball rolling. It will be an earlier preseason than most of the local teams. But we understand the situation that we are in, and we just have to make the best use of it going forward," he stated.

According to Gilbert, while they would have preferred direct qualification to the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, navigating their way through the CFU Shield also plays an important part in the club’s long-term vision. For many players, the international exposure gained from the Shield and potential Caribbean Cup qualification offers a platform to showcase their talents to a wider audience.

Arnett Gardens' top marksman, Warner Brown, to prove pivotal in CFU Shield campaign.

"We’re trying to build a culture where winning these types of competitions becomes the norm for us. Yes, we would have preferred to win the JPL and qualify directly for the Caribbean Cup, but this is the next best thing for us, and there’s a real sense of pride in representing Arnett Gardens and Jamaican football at this level. We know we’ll have to be at our best across every match," the tactician, who also serves as Reggae Girlz assistant coach, shared.

That said, Gilbert pointed out that he and his technical team have already shifted focus to analyzing group opponents and fine-tuning the squad to meet the demands of what is expected to be a competitive and tightly contested tournament.

"Preparation is key. We’ll respect every team in the group. They all bring different strengths to the table, but if we take care of our game, stay disciplined, and stick to the plan, I believe we’ll have a good chance of defending our title," he ended.