Maresca Vows to Close Gap on Arsenal
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- Enzo Maresca opens his Manchester City reign vowing to "close the gap" to Arsenal, who finished seven points clear of City in last season's Premier League title race
- Arsenal and Manchester City meet in Sunday's Community Shield at Cardiff, with both managers treating it as a genuine trophy contest rather than a friendly
- Mikel Arteta declared Maresca "just as good" as Pep Guardiola, while saying his players have returned "really fit" and eager to win the first piece of silverware
- Arsenal have won all three previous Community Shield matchups against City, and Sky Sports' predictor has them four points clear of City to retain the Premier League
- Erling Haaland is available despite a small heel issue, but Arsenal are without injured defenders Jurrien Timber and William Saliba for Sunday's match
- Phil Foden begins his comeback at the No 10 role for City, while teammate Tijjani Reijnders is unlikely to play for the club again amid ongoing speculation
Why it matters: Arsenal's seven-point Premier League gap and 3-0 Community Shield record against City give them the psychological edge as Maresca begins his tenure. For the new City boss, even a competitive showing in Cardiff legitimizes his project before the Premier League opens five days later.
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