Manchester City fall 3-0 to Arsenal in Community Shield as Enzo Maresca records heavy debut loss

Manchester City lost 3-0 to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Saturday, with Riccardo Calafiori scoring after 23 seconds, followed by Kai Havertz before halftime and Martin Ødegaard in the second half. The defeat matched a 120-year club record for the joint-heaviest loss by a manager in his first competitive game, a record previously set by Harry Newbould in 1906.

After the match, manager Enzo Maresca said the early goal set the tone of the contest. > "I think a big part of the game was in the first goal we conceded. Unfortunately after 30 seconds we conceded the first one," he told reporters. He added that City created several chances before Arsenal's second goal but failed to convert them, and that the second goal made the task more difficult. > "We had three or four chances to score and to draw the game. Unfortunately we missed the chances and then after the second goal it became more difficult," Maresca said. City's usual attacking players, including Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, were largely inactive, and the team registered 12 shots with five on target, generating an expected goals (xG) of 0.8, according to match data. Maresca emphasized that the season is only beginning and that improvements are needed regardless of results. > "We have many things to work on. The season's just started, so there are many things we need to do better, but even when we win games, there are things we need to do better," he said. He said the coaching staff will analyse the match and prepare for the upcoming Premier League opener against Bournemouth.