If it was not previously clear to the average observer just what a sizeable task Enzo Maresca faces in his first season at Manchester City, it must have become so after his team were swept aside 3-0 by Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Yes, it is a cliché, and yes it is too early – but also: that would not have happened with Pep.
City’s new manager is likely to hear more of that during the course of the season.
After the defeat, Maresca said his side needed further signings before the transfer window closes. City are currently pursuing Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez as one more addition to their midfield.
“We knew already before the game the things we need to do,” Maresca said. “We have it quite clear what we need to do, and for sure we are going to do something before the transfer window closes.”
That surely sounds like someone who has it all mapped out. Ok, Enzo. There is no doubt that Maresca is, even if not an elite coach, a decent manager. His biggest critic would accept at least that.
But the way City were torn apart by Arsenal suggested that something had left this team, even if you factor in their relative lack of fitness. Maresca may have a mountain to climb trying to bring it back.
City’s pre-season games in Asia showed at least that Maresca is sticking to relatively the same principles on and off the ball as Guardiola.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 15, 2026
But against Arsenal, they were slow and predictable on the ball, and off the ball they were repeatedly exposed in midfield and attack.
Arsenal’s third goal encapsulated this, Christos Tzolis driving in and cutting City open with a basic pass into the area to Martin Odegaard, who sat Gianluigi Donnarumma down as easy as a Sunday walk in the park, before casually rolling the ball into the corner.
It did not help Maresca that so much of the squad is leaving with Pep. Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones were only three players but they embodied so much of the substance that Guardiola had created in his near-decade at the Etihad.
Tijjani Reijnders is set to move on. In midfield, there will be an almost entirely new contingent. Ayyoub Bouaddi is expected to arrive. Elliot Anderson has already joined, and Fernandez may not be completely out of the equation, even if Chelsea’s deadline has expired.
ALSO READ: Why is Reijnders leaving Manchester City after only a year?
This is Maresca’s team now, baby. It has his imprint. There will be no stardust to draw from except what the Italian can sprinkle on this squad.
More will unfold, of course, in future. Many more games by which to judge this new City team. But on the evidence of Sunday, it does not look good.
