Enzo Maresca has emphasised the importance of Sunday’s FA Community Shield final with Arsenal, describing the clash as a first opportunity for silverware during his tenure.
The Italian will lead the team for the first time in a competitive setting this weekend at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with kick-off set for 15:00 (UK).
A meeting between the FA Cup holders and Premier League champions and a precursor to the new campaign, Maresca was quick to dismiss suggestions of this tie being seen as a final pre-season fixture before our Premier League opener against Bournemouth next Sunday.
Instead, for the boss, it’s a chance to kickstart his time in the hotseat with a piece of silverware.
“For me personally it is a trophy,” Maresca explained in his pre-match press conference.
“When trophies and a final are there, you always try to win the game.
“So, no friendly game at all. It’s a trophy that we are going to try our best to win, to win the first trophy.”
Maresca also paid respect to Arsenal and their 2025/26 achievements ahead of our meeting on Sunday.
City just fell short in the race for the Premier League against the Gunners but did come out on top when the two sides locked horns in the Carabao Cup final and remained unbeaten in both league encounters.
And although Maresca heaped praise on the work Mikel Arteta has overseen in North London, he’s hopeful City can once again provide a sizeable challenge in this year’s race for silverware.
He added: “Arsenal have shown in the last two, three, four, five years that they have been always there. It’s a fantastic team, well managed by Mikel [Arteta].
“Last year they won the Premier League, they showed how good they are in this moment.
“But at the same time, we are City and we are going to try to close the gap and try to compete again.”
Premier League 2026/27 home tickets now on sale
General admission tickets for Manchester City’s home 2026/27 Premier League fixtures are now on sale to Premium, Matchday and Junior Members.
Season Ticket Members, meanwhile, are now also able to purchase additional tickets for selected games.
Premier League match-by-match ticket prices for junior and adult Matchday Members have been retained at the same rate for a third consecutive season.
It promises to be another thrilling campaign for the Blues as we enter a new era under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, who takes over from Pep Guardiola in the hotseat.
Make sure you secure your spot at the Etihad Stadium for our Premier League fixtures now!