Premier League champions Arsenal on Sunday face FA Cup holders City in one of the most highly anticipated Community Shield encounters in recent memory.
This season’s match, which will be played in Cardiff due to the unavailability of Wembley in London, will see Enzo Maresca take control of City in a competitive game for the first time since he replaced Pep Guardiola as manager.
As for Arsenal, their 22-year wait for a Premier League title has not been seen as the start of another golden era for the Gunners; instead, there are questions as to just how strong the defence of the crown will be.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has backed Maresca to do an “unbelievable job” after replacing Guardiola.
Arteta, once Guardiola’s assistant at City, paid tribute to his old boss but expects Arsenal’s title rivals to remain a force under former Chelsea manager Maresca.
Arteta said of Guardiola, who won 20 major trophies during his 10-year spell in charge of City: “First of all for the Premier League, and for the country, the way he has opened a different way of understanding the game – he has escalated the Premier League to a different level.
“I was very lucky to be part of that for four years and understand and witness how it’s done daily. It’s remarkable and unique,” Arteta continued.
“I would say that he’s the best coach in the history of football. For many reasons; he’s done it in different countries, in different ways.”
City won the FA Cup and League Cup in Guardiola’s final season but finished as Premier League runners-up behind Arsenal.
Arteta, who ended Arsenal’s 22-year wait for a Premier League title, added: “It’s been a pleasure and now it’s Enzo. I know him well and he will provide something different to the club.
“What I know is that Enzo has the personality, the character, and especially the knowledge to have an unbelievable job there.
“That’s why he’s been selected, because they could probably pick anybody and they’ve gone for Enzo for the right reasons.
“He has demonstrated that at every level – what he’s done in the Champions League and what he’s done when he’s been at Chelsea and now here, so I have no doubt that he will do a great job.”
Arteta gave little away on reports the Gunners are looking to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah after failing to persuade Aston Villa to sell Ezri Konsa.
“We want to improve the squad,” he said. “We want to evolve the squad in order to achieve that.”
The Gunners manager did, however, reassure the club’s fans about his contract, which expires at the end of the season.
“They don’t have to worry about any of that, because I want to be here,” Arteta said.
City manager Maresca, meanwhile, said “anything can happen” amid reports La Liga champions Barcelona have bid to sign World Cup winner Rodri.
Arteta-Maresca
