Enzo Maresca’s tenure as Manchester City manager got off to a nightmare start as his side suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium.

The former Chelsea boss admitted City must improve significantly after watching his team struggle against the Premier League champions in his first competitive match in charge.

The defeat also saw Manchester City match an unwanted club record that has stood for more than 120 years, adding further disappointment to Maresca’s difficult introduction to life at the Etihad.

Arsenal took control from the opening stages and quickly established a commanding advantage, with Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard finding the net to secure the trophy for Mikel Arteta’s side.

City struggled to create a meaningful response as Arsenal controlled the contest and repeatedly exposed weaknesses in their opponents’ defence.

For Maresca, the result highlighted the size of the rebuilding job ahead. The Italian replaced Pep Guardiola as City manager and now faces the challenge of quickly improving a side that has been accustomed to competing for major honours under his predecessor.

Speaking after the defeat, Maresca acknowledged that City have plenty of work to do before the new Premier League campaign begins.

The Community Shield may be an early-season fixture, but Arsenal’s emphatic victory will raise questions about whether City can immediately return to the level that made them one of Europe’s dominant teams under Guardiola.

For Maresca, the message is clear: Manchester City must improve, and they must do so quickly.