Mikel Arteta has been an admirer of Enzo Maresca for some time, and they’re set to lock horns in the Premier League title race next season.
Mikel Arteta knows he’ll have his work cut out when he locks horns with Enzo Maresca in the Premier League title race next season. The new Manchester City boss, who’s signed a three-year contract at Etihad Stadium, will be determined to lay down a marker and prove he’s a worthy appointment as the permanent successor to Pep Guardiola.
If Maresca wants to get his hands on some silverware, though, he’ll likely have to do something he’s never done before : defeat a team managed by Arteta. During the Italian’s 18-month or so spell at Chelsea, he faced the Spaniard three times, drawing two and losing one.
They first met at Stamford Bridge in November 2024, when the Blues and Arsenal were tied on points in the Premier League, placed fourth and fifth, respectively. The Gunners held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw, conceding even more ground to Liverpool, the eventual winners, in the title race.
Then, in March 2025, Arsenal clambered to a 1-0 victory against the Blues at the Emirates Stadium. Speaking to reporters ahead of the clash, Arteta showered Maresca with praise.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
“He’s a magnificent coach,” he said. “He’s very clear what he wants to do, he’s been very clear what he wants and how he does it. I really like the way his team plays.”
After the game, Arteta described Chelsea as the ‘best attacking team in the league by a mile’. The Spaniard said: “Best attacking team in the league.
“We had a lot of chances and then we concede almost nothing apart from a strange save from David [Raya]. That’s huge credit to the team because, in my opinion, Chelsea are the best attacking team in the league.”
They didn’t lock horns again until the following season. In November 2025, when Chelsea were second in the Premier League, just six points behind Arsenal, Arteta was quizzed on the title race and about his previous comments on Maresca’s side.
“I think we are all there, and they are there because they fully deserve what they have done in the last few years,” said the Gunners boss. “I think the squad that they assembled, the numbers that they have, the quality that they have, the number of coaches they have, it makes sense that what is happening there is very, very positive and they deserve to be there.”
Arteta added: “They were [the best last season], the sample now this season is early, so it’s difficult to say. But it is one of the teams that I enjoy the most watching, and they have a lot of fluidity, they have a lot of threat, they have a lot of individual talent. They are very clear what they want to do, and that’s why they are very tough.”
Then, when Maresca parted ways with Chelsea at the start of the year, Arteta claimed he had done a ‘terrific’ job at Stamford Bridge. The Arsenal boss said: “Well, I wish him all the best.
“I really like Enzo as a person, as a professional. I think he’s done a terrific job at Chelsea. That’s a decision that has been made, and I wish him all the best.”
Although Arteta knows exactly what to expect from Maresca, the Italian has inherited a team that almost beat Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title. Manchester City are expected to splash the cash this summer, too, so the Gunners boss will certainly have his work cut out.
