Mikel Arteta can lay down an emphatic marker before Manchester City’s new era even begins

Enzo Maresca takes charge of Manchester City for the first time competitively on Sunday.

It goes without saying that he has enormous shoes to fill as Pep Guardiola’s successor.

Without meaning to paint City an underdog institution — Maresca is inheriting a squad that has cost a billion pounds to put together — they have lost some key figures this summer.

Not only have they lost their incredible coach, important leaders Bernardo Silva and John Stones have also departed, and they may still be joined by Rodri out the exit door.

That may prove to be significant for Maresca, whose first test comes in the form of the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

And standing opposite him is a manager who has never lost to him.

Mikel Arteta’s head-to-head record vs Enzo Maresca

Across three competitive meetings during Maresca’s time at Chelsea, Mikel Arteta has recorded one win and two draws. Maresca is yet to get the better of him, tactically.

Sunday is an opportunity to keep it that way, and in doing so, send an early message about how this season is going to go.

Both managers share Guardiola’s tactical DNA — both were part of his coaching staff at the Etihad.

But there is a crucial difference. Arteta has proven he can take a team in dismay and rife with toxicity, and instil a title-winning culture.

He has built something at Arsenal over seven years, won the Premier League, reached the Champions League final, and has his squad exactly where he wants it.

During Maresca’s 18 months in charge at Chelsea, he spent an astronomical £500million plus on players.

It took four years in charge and eight transfer windows for Arteta to cross that same spending threshold.

Maresca may be about to repeat a similar feat at City, where the club could be set to spend over £300million on their midfield alone.

As far as Sunday goes, Arteta will be looking to continue his flawless record in the Community Shield — four wins from four as both manager and player.

Both sides may treat it as a friendly with so many key players returning late from the World Cup, but a win would nonetheless set a psychological marker that carries into the league campaign, however slight.

It’s an opportunity to remind City that Arsenal aren’t ‘little bros’ anymore.