LONDON: Arsenal and Manchester City are in an unusual position heading into the new Premier League (EPL) season.
For the first time since the 2004-05 season, Arsenal will begin their campaign as champions when they host newly promoted Coventry in the opening match this Saturday.
In contrast to the cheerful atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium, City are anxiously entering an era without Pep Guardiola after the Spanish manager ended his remarkable 10-year reign at the end of last season.
After several years in City’s shadow, Mikel Arteta’s squad caused a major change in the EPL balance of power last season when they finally won their first major league title in 22 years.
Arsenal finished seven points clear of runners-up City and were high on confidence as they began their bid to win back-to-back Premier League titles for the first time since the 1930s.
Arteta will not let his players get too comfortable with past successes and the painful defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the Champions League final in May has fuelled Arsenal’s pursuit of more trophies.
Based on Arsenal’s convincing 3-0 victory over City in the Community Shield last Sunday, the Gunners have widened the gap between the two clubs since last season.
Arteta’s squad added Newcastle midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, with both impressing in the big win over City.
“The desire is there because I want to experience that moment again,” Arteta said. “We know the task is difficult. We know it will require something special and we are ready for it.”
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was appointed to replace Guardiola, but the Italian faces an almost impossible task of repeating Guardiola’s remarkable feat of winning 20 trophies during an unforgettable decade as manager.
Maresca won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea, but he lasted less than two years at Stamford Bridge before abruptly leaving the club amid strained relations with the club’s hierarchy and fans’ frustration with his boring tactics.
Chasing Arsenal while completing the team rebuilding process that Guardiola began by replacing aging star players with younger players is a very challenging task for Maresca.
City, who host Bournemouth in their first leg on Sunday, have already splashed out £116 million for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.
However, the sale of World Cup-winning Spanish star Rodri to Barcelona was a huge blow to Maresca.
“After 10 games, if we collect 10 points, 20 points, 30 points. People will compare him with Pep after 10 games. It doesn’t put pressure on me,” Maresca said.
“Someone asked me if the task of replacing him was impossible. Maybe, but at the same time it was a privilege.”