Maresca's First Challenge: Manchester City vs Arsenal in Community Shield
Enzo Maresca’s first shot at silverware as Manchester City manager comes early. Very early.
On Sunday in Cardiff, under the roof of the Principality Stadium, he leads the Premier League runners-up into the Community Shield against the team that edged them to last season’s title: Arsenal. The stage is the traditional curtain-raiser. The stakes feel bigger than that.
City are here thanks to last season’s FA Cup triumph in Pep Guardiola’s farewell campaign, a final flourish that booked their place in this showpiece. Now the Guardiola era has gone, the Maresca era is trying to take shape.
Three games in, the picture is only starting to form. A draw against Inter in his unofficial debut, followed by 3–1 wins over the K-League All-Stars and Atlético Madrid, has offered hints of what Maresca wants. Control on the ball. Aggression without it. A slightly different edge to a familiar machine.
This, though, is his first real measuring stick.
Maresca’s first big call
Maresca will not have a full deck to play with. Some of his key names are either short of fitness or unavailable, and Barcelona-linked Rodri is out with a back injury, removing both his midfield metronome and a magnet for transfer questions in one go.
So the Italian’s first major team sheet in English football is likely to carry a few tells about where this squad is heading.
In goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to start. Before James Trafford’s $60.5 million move to Leeds United, this might have been the young keeper’s opportunity. Instead, the former Marseille man Gerónimo Rulli has arrived as the new No. 2, and Donnarumma should get the nod in a game of this magnitude.
Across the back line, change is unavoidable. City have shed several centre-backs this summer, most notably Nathan Aké and John Stones. That opens the door for Abdukodir Khusanov, who suddenly finds a pathway to serious minutes. The Community Shield may only be a curtain-raiser in name, but for the aspiring defender it could be a launchpad.
Alongside him, Rúben Dias remains the anchor. He is no longer the unshakeable force of his peak years, but his leadership and presence still shape this defence. Maresca, stepping into a dressing room used to relentless standards, will lean heavily on that voice.
At left-back, Joško Gvardiol is likely to be preferred. With Nico O’Reilly unlikely to be risked from the start and Rayan Aït-Nouri another option, Gvardiol’s blend of defensive solidity and composure on the ball feels vital against Arsenal’s pace out wide. This is not the day to experiment too wildly on the flanks.
On the right, Matheus Nunes is set for an intriguing duel. He will probably find himself up against new Arsenal signing Christos Tzolis, who has already produced three goal contributions under Mikel Arteta. The Greek winger will test Nunes’ concentration and positioning. The Portuguese midfielder, repurposed on the flank, cannot switch off for a moment.
Life without Rodri, for now
Rodri’s absence in midfield leaves a void that is tactical and emotional. Maresca’s answer, at least for this weekend, is likely Nico González.
González will be asked to stitch things together at the base of midfield, offering the passing range and discipline to keep City’s structure intact. It is a demanding role in any game, let alone against a side as aggressive and well-drilled as Arsenal.
Next to him, Mateo Kovačić looks set to continue his busy preseason. At 32, and after an injury-hit 2025–26 in which he made just nine appearances, he has already logged a third of that total under Maresca before a competitive ball has been kicked. The Italian clearly values his experience and press resistance. This match gives Kovačić a chance to re-establish himself as a central figure rather than a peripheral one.
New chances in attack
Further forward, the attacking trio behind the striker carries its own storylines.
On the right, Savinho needs this season to break his stalemate. The Brazilian has again been linked with Tottenham Hotspur as frustration grows over his lack of meaningful minutes. Maresca’s arrival hands him a clean slate. What he does with it, starting with a high-profile test against Arsenal, could define his City future.
In the middle, Phil Foden stands at a crossroads of his own. Left out of England’s World Cup squad, he still produced 21 goal involvements last season but drifted in and out of games too often for a player of his talent. City supporters want the sharper, more ruthless version of Foden back. Maresca does too. This is the kind of occasion where he can start to reclaim that status.
On the left, Antoine Semenyo comes into the game in rhythm. The versatile winger has already delivered four assists in preseason, carrying on the form that made him such a shrewd signing. His direct running and eye for the final ball give Maresca a reliable outlet as City adjust to new ideas.
Put it all together and the predicted XI against Arsenal looks something like this:
- GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma
- RB: Matheus Nunes
- CB: Abdukodir Khusanov
- CB: Rúben Dias
- LB: Joško Gvardiol
- CM: Nico González
- CM: Mateo Kovačić
- RW: Savinho
- AM: Phil Foden
- LW: Antoine Semenyo
Maresca will not define his tenure on one August afternoon in Cardiff. But against the champions who stole their crown, in his first tilt at a trophy, he has a chance to show what this new Manchester City intends to be.
