Why Man City lost to Arsenal in Community Shield — Maresca

Manchester City suffered a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield, with Enzo Maresca pointing to a lack of pre-season preparation as a significant factor. The four City players who started the match had not played during the club's pre-season campaign, giving Arsenal a clear advantage in terms of fitness and match fitness.

Arsenal struck early, scoring after just 24 seconds, and dominated large portions of the game, ultimately securing a convincing victory. Maresca emphasized the importance of match fitness and familiarity at the beginning of a new season, noting that the physical condition of the two teams was markedly different.