GUNNERS FIRE FIRST SHOT

Enzo Maresca urged Manchester City to learn from its chastening Community Shield defeat against Arsenal after the Italian endured a dismal start in his daunting task of replacing Pep Guardiola.

For the first time in a decade, Guardiola was missing from the touchline in a showpiece match for City, and the Spaniard's absence was keenly felt as Maresca's men slumped to a 3-0 defeat in Cardiff on Sunday.

The sight of Maresca patrolling the technical area was jarring for City fans following its dynastic era under Guardiola, who won 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles, before stepping down at the end of last season.

Whether Maresca is the right choice to succeed the 55-year-old is a question that will hang over City throughout the season.

Maresca, 46, worked as Guardiola's assistant during City's 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, but has limited experience as a manager, having left Chelsea in January after less than two seasons in charge, following a single season at Leicester.

City's first tentative steps of the post-Guardiola era were underwhelming to say the least.

It was blown away by a rampant Arsenal in the annual curtain raiser to the top-flight season, as the Premier League champion served notice that it has no intention of surrendering the title.

Riccardo Calafiori gave Arsenal the lead after just 24 seconds and Kai Havertz punished sloppy City defending to head in its second midway through the first half.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard rounded off the rout early in the second half with a swaggering finish that left City broken and bewildered in the Welsh sunshine.

"I think we showed our level today, that we are ready," Odegaard said. "We are serious and we want to do it again."

City's moribund performance suggested Maresca has much to work on if his side is to close the gap on Arsenal, which finished seven points clear of Guardiola's men last season.

"We can find many things after this kind of defeat," Maresca said. "For sure the first two goals we conceded, I didn't like.

"The first one after 24 seconds, and the second one, there was no pressure on the ball.

"I don't know if it was physical conditioning; we had many players at the World Cup. After the first goal, the reaction was very good, but after the second, it was more complicated."

City opens its bid for a first title since 2024 at home to Bournemouth on Aug 24, and Maresca admitted it has a lot to improve before then.

"We have many things to work on. The season's just started, so there are many things we need to do better," he said.

"The goal we conceded after 24 seconds, unfortunately, affected the game. Disappointed with that, because, in this kind of game, the level is so similar that when you concede a goal, it then becomes difficult."

'Quite stunning'

Pundits were scathing about City's display, with former Arsenal defender Martin Keown saying Maresca should be "embarrassed".

"It was quite stunning to see City's body language, the players, the manager, it looks a bit lifeless as a group," Keown added.

Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist, commentating on the match, said: "How much do we look into it? Well, I thought it was the biggest gap I've seen between the sides."

Reveling in their supremacy after years in City's shadow, Arsenal's fans gleefully mocked Maresca and his team by chanting "you're getting sacked in the morning" and "are you Tottenham in disguise?".

The result of a high-profile friendly does not guarantee Arsenal is destined for the title or that City is sure to flop.

But City's lethargy in the absence of influential Spain midfielder Rodri, and the anonymous displays of new signing Elliot Anderson and star striker Erling Haaland gave Maresca an unwanted headache with the new season just days away.

"Rodri is a player who just won the World Cup and Ballon d'Or. He's a top player, all the teams need Rodri," Maresca said.

Arsenal's dominance, though, was a testament to Mikel Arteta's ability to keep his players hungry, despite ending the club's 22-year title drought.

It was a resounding statement of intent ahead of Friday's league opener against Coventry.

"The desire comes because I want to live that moment again. I want to live other moments (that are) even bigger," Arteta said.

"We know what it's going to take. We know the difficulty of the task. We know that it's going to demand something special and we are ready for it.

"If we drive the standards at this level, then I'm sure we're going to be really competitive."

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