Mikel Arteta promises best version of Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledges his side's supporters. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Mikel Arteta has backed new Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca to do an “unbelievable job” as Pep Guardiola’s replacement, but warned Arsenal’s best version will be on show on Sunday.

Arteta will resume a rivalry with ex-Chelsea boss Maresca at The Principality Stadium in the first match of the post-Guardiola era with the Community Shield on the line in Cardiff.

Former City assistant Arteta paid tribute to his ex-boss Guardiola ahead of the start of the 2026-27 campaign, but backed successor Maresca to fill the void ahead of their fourth meeting in management.

“First of all for the Premier League, I think for the country, I think the way he has opened a different way of understanding the game. Here, I think he has escalated the Premier League to a different level,” Arteta said of Guardiola.

“I was very lucky to be part of that for four years and understand and witness how it’s done daily. I think it’s remarkable and unique.

“I would say that he’s the best coach in the history of football. For many reasons, he’s done it in different countries, in different ways. So, I think he will be missed in the Premier League.

“It’s been a pleasure and now it’s Enzo, which is as good as him, because I know him well and he will provide something different to the club.

“What I know is that Enzo has the personality, the character, and especially the knowledge to have an unbelievable job there. That’s why he’s been selected, because they could probably pick anybody and they’ve gone for Enzo for the right reasons.

“He has demonstrated that at every level. What’s he’s done to the Champions League and what he’s done, when he’s been at Chelsea and now here, so I have no doubt that he will do a great job.” 

Arteta revealed England duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka could be involved against Man City, but Jurrien Timber and William Saliba (back) remain sidelined.

Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis are in line for competitive debuts and Arteta warned his Premier League champions are hungry for more titles.

He said: “We are really excited to start the season, to start with the first trophy. All the internationals are back and we can’t wait to start competing.

“The best version has to be on Sunday and that’s the intention, that we have the best performance and the best way to start the season by lifting the first trophy.

“That’s the way we have prepared the season on day one, be at our maximum level because that’s the standards.” 

Arteta was tight-lipped on transfers after Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarrel Quansah emerged as a potential alternative in defence with no breakthrough in the pursuit of England centre-back Ezri Konsa.

The England defender, who left Liverpool last summer for an initial £30m and was part of Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, has been identified as ideal cover at the back. While Quansah’s preferred position is in central defence, he was also deployed at right-back by Tuchel at the World Cup and was sent off in the last-16 victory over Mexico.

It is understood that Leverkusen are reluctant to sell the Warrington-born 23-year-old, who signed a five-year deal when he left Anfield last July, and would want at least €50m (£43m). 

Arsenal – who saw a bid of £30m for Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa rejected earlier in the window – are not thought to want to pay that much but now could test the German club’s resolve by submitting a similar offer. 

Liverpool had a €70m buyback option on Quansah but that has now expired.

Arsenal are still believed to be interested in Konsa, who also filled in at right-back for England during the World Cup but is better known as a central defender. Villa value the 28-year-old at £60m.

Arsenal would still like to sign a new attacker before the end of the window and could allow Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus to depart in order to free up more funds. ­Galatasaray have offered £38m for Martinelli, although the Brazil ­forward has turned down a move to Turkey. Napoli have shown an ­interest in Jesus.

Ethan Nwaneri could also be sold, with Milan, Fulham, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund among those who have been linked with the 19-year-old.

The Arsenal boss praised how the academy graduate has evolved since a difficult loan at Marseille, but admitted: “I want him to be at the club but something is in the medium-long term what is best for the player as well.

“Ethan needs to play football and if he stays here it’s because we can guarantee that he can have those minutes.

“I’m not going to talk about any individuals (elsewhere). Obviously what I can tell you is the ambition of the club. We want to improve the squad, we want to evolve the squad in order to achieve that.

“We have obviously detected some areas that they can be strengthened and that’s what we are trying to do.”

PA and Guardian