Wait — this brief mixes managers and clubs oddly (Maresca at City replacing Guardiola?), but I'll work strictly from the given description.
**Arteta and Maresca gear up for title fight, not friendly niceties**
Arsenal and Manchester City go head-to-head in Sunday's Community Shield in Cardiff, but according to Sky Sports, neither side is treating it as a mere curtain-raiser.
Enzo Maresca, taking charge of City for the first time as he steps in for Pep Guardiola, has made clear he wants this clash to mark the start of a genuine title challenge rather than a friendly exhibition. The Italian is reportedly determined to close the gap on the champions and use the occasion to signal his ambitions for the season ahead.
Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, has been talking up his opposite number, going as far as suggesting Maresca is already operating at a level comparable to Guardiola himself. The Arsenal boss also insists his squad are showing the hunger required to go one step further this season after falling short in previous title races.
With both managers eager to set an early tone, Sunday's meeting in Cardiff promises far more intensity than the traditional season-opener billing suggests.