Enzo Maresma has made clear that one of his primary objectives in his inaugural campaign at the helm of Manchester City is to narrow the distance that separates his side from Arsenal, who finished the previous Premier League season just seven points shy of the champions. This ambition, while bold, will receive its first real test in the upcoming FA Community Shield match slated for Sunday. The Community Shield, traditionally a curtain‑raiser for the English football season, has historically favoured Arsenal in the rare occasions they have faced City – the Gunners have won all three of those encounters.
This weekend’s showdown at the Cardiff Stadium therefore carries extra weight, not only as a trophy on the line but also as the opening chapter of what promises to be a compelling new rivalry between Mikel Arteta and Maresma. The fixture also marks the final countdown to the start of the Premier League proper.
Arsenal will kick off their league campaign against Coventry City five days after the Shield, while City will begin two days later against Bournemouth. Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering fans a chance to gauge how the early‑season form of each side translates into the marathon of league football.
Sky Sports’ statistical model currently lists Arsenal as the slight favourites to retain the Premier League crown, projecting them to finish roughly four points ahead of Manchester City. Yet Maresma is determined to challenge that projection. He insists that neither he nor Arteta will treat the Shield as a friendly encounter; the presence of a trophy transforms the match into a genuine contest. "For me personally, it’s a trophy," Maresma said.
"When there’s a piece of silverware at stake, you’re there to win, not to play a friendly. We want to give everything we have to secure that first piece of silverware for the season." He praised Arsenal’s recent performances, noting that they have been a consistently strong side under Arteta’s guidance and even secured the Premier League title last season. "Arsenal have been great over the past few years, well‑managed and well‑coached by Mikel. They won the league last year," Maresma acknowledged.
"But we are City, and we want to close the gap." Maresma also highlighted the quality of his pre‑season preparations, emphasizing the need to translate that into competitive success. "Pre‑season has been good.
Now we need to compete, win games, win titles. I want to see high spirit and the right mentality," he added.
When asked about the fitness of his star striker Erling Haaland, Maresma responded that the Norwegian is "okay," having suffered only a minor issue behind his heel. He confirmed that the entire squad is largely fit, although some players have only just returned from their summer break. On the opposite side, Arteta expressed confidence in his own side and gave Maresma credit, even likening him to his predecessor Pep Guardiola.
"Now it’s Enzo – who is as good as Guardiola, because I know him well," Arteta said. "He will bring something different to the club." He also stressed that the Community Shield is a legitimate trophy that can set the tone for the season. "The best version of Arsenal has to be on Sunday.
That’s the intention – the best performance, the best way to start the season by lifting the first trophy," Arteta explained. Arteta confirmed that, aside from the injured Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, Arsenal enjoy a clean bill of health. He also mentioned that key players such as Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi have yet to feature in pre‑season matches but are expected to be ready. "It’s a trophy we can have because we earned it last year by winning the Premier League," Arteta added.
"You can see how hungry the players are – that’s a good sign. I love the way the squad have come back, most of them earlier as expected. They’re really fit, we’ve done all the testing, and they all seem in great condition." Sky Sports analysts provided their own previews.
Laura Hunter noted that City’s last pre‑season friendly was a 3‑1 victory over Atletico Madrid on August 9, suggesting that the Sunday XI will resemble that lineup. She speculated that left‑back Rayan Ait‑Nouri could start if fully fit, while the midfield battle may feature Nico González or Rico Lewis, given the limited pre‑season action for England prospects Nico O’Reilly and Elliot Anderson due to the World Cup.
Omar Marmoush, who scored twice against Atletico, is likely to feature in a central role as Haaland eases back into full match fitness. Phil Foden’s return is also anticipated, with the possibility of him reclaiming the No 10 shirt. Sam Blitz offered a complementary perspective on Arsenal’s options.
He pointed out that Rice, Saka and Zubimendi are available, but most of the squad only logged short 30‑minute spells in the final friendlies, suggesting they may begin on the bench before being introduced later in the game. This could open a slot for Bruno Guimarães, who debuted against Como, to start in midfield. Young talent Myles Lewis‑Skelly might also earn a start despite ongoing speculation about his future. New signing Christos Tzolis is expected to receive his first competitive minutes on the left wing, while Max Dowman could be preferred over Noni Madueke due to his full pre‑season involvement.
Arteta faces a left‑back dilemma between Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié, with the more defensively‑oriented Hincapié possibly getting the nod. Meanwhile, Martin Ødegaard, who displayed a more energetic display last season, will look to set the tempo for Arsenal’s midfield.
In summary, the Community Shield will serve as a litmus test for both managers. Maresma aims to demonstrate that City can close the gap on Arsenal and challenge for the title, while Arteta seeks to reinforce his team’s hunger and readiness to defend their crown.
The outcome may not decide the season, but it will certainly provide an early indicator of the mentalities, tactical approaches, and player fitness levels that could shape the Premier League campaign ahead.