LONDON — Arsenal and Manchester City find themselves in unusual positions heading into the English Premier League season, but there is no question which of the title contenders feels more comfortable with their new status.
For the first time since the 2004-05 season, Arsenal will start a campaign as English champions when they host promoted Coventry in the opening game of the season on Friday.
In contrast to the buoyant mood at the Emirates Stadium, City have stepped anxiously into life without Pep Guardiola after the Spaniard ended his remarkable 10-year reign at the end of last season.
After years spent in City’s shadow, Mikel Arteta’s side triggered a seismic shift in the Premier League’s balance of power last season as they finally clinched their first top-flight title in 22 years.
Arsenal finished seven points above runners-up City and are flying high as they begin their bid to win successive English titles for the first time since the 1930s.
Arteta won’t let his players rest on their laurels, with the painful defeat against Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the Champions League final in May serving to strengthen Arsenal’s desire for more silverware.
On the evidence of Arsenal’s emphatic 3-0 win over City in the Community Shield on Sunday, the Gunners have already widened the gap between the clubs since last season.
Arteta’s side have added Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis to their title-winning squad, with both impressing in the demolition of City.
“The desire comes because I want to live that moment again,” Arteta said according to AFP.
“We know the difficulty of the task. We know that it’s going to demand something special and we are ready for it.”
Guardiola failed to win the title in his last two years at the Etihad Stadium after taking the trophy six times in seven seasons until 2024.
Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been hired to replace Guardiola, but the Italian faces an almost impossible task to replicate his predecessor’s astonishing haul of 20 trophies in an unforgettable decade in charge.
Mareca won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea, but he lasted less than two years at Stamford Bridge before an abrupt departure sparked by his tense relationship with the club’s hierarchy and fan frustration at his dull tactics.
Catching Arsenal while finishing the rebuilding job started by Guardiola, who began to replace his ageing stars with younger recruits, is a daunting prospect for Maresca.
City, who host Bournemouth in their first game on Sunday, have splashed out £116 million ($157 million) on Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.
But the sale of World Cup-winning Spain star Rodri to Barcelona is a huge blow for Maresca.
“After 10 games, if we have got 10 points, 20 points, 30 points. People will be comparing it to Pep after 10 games. It doesn’t put pressure on me,” Maresca said.
“Someone asked me if it’s the impossible job to follow him. Maybe, but at the same time it’s a privilege.”
