Manchester City lost the Community Shield 3-0 to Arsenal and were left with a number of injury concerns ahead of next week's clash with Bournemouth
Jeremy Doku was one of three injury concerns following Manchester City's 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal
Jeremy Doku was one of three injury concerns following Manchester City's 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal(Image: Ian Cook - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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It was an afternoon to forget for Manchester City in Cardiff as they lost the Community Shield 3-0 to Arsenal. The Blues were thoroughly second best and were behind on 24 seconds when Riccardo Calafiori slotted in following Myles Lewis-Skelly's through ball.
City struggled to settle after that and were 2-0 down before the half-hour mark as Martin Odegaard's cross to the back post found Christos Tzolis. His header back across goal picked out Kai Havertz to score from close range. The game was over as a contest when Odegaard added a third just after half-time.
Before the game, many were surprised by the number of first-team players starting having just come back from their World Cup breaks. Erling Haaland, Elliot Anderson and Nico O'Reilly all played having only returned this week. Explaining that decision, Maresca said post-match: "We decide to start with four with just two or three sessions. The reason why was also because sometimes players prefer to start doing the proper warm-up and start from the beginning. The plan was to change all of them after 45 minutes or one hour maximum, so it's a decision that you take before the game."
Defeat for City with so many key players featuring was bad enough, but a trio of fresh injury concerns emerged for the Blues during the match. This gave Maresca another headache ahead of the Premier League season.
MEN Sport has rounded up the latest injury news below:
Matheus Nunes
Injury: Unknown
Nunes was picked to start on the bench against Arsenal. However, just moments before kick-off, the right-back had to withdraw from the squad due to injury. TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods said the 27-year-old was being 'consoled' by physios as he left the pitch at the Principality Stadium.
Maresca did not provide an update on Nunes in his post-match press conference.
Potential return date: Unknown
Jeremy Doku
Injury: Calf
Doku started the game against Arsenal and did have some lively moments in an otherwise poor first half for the Blues. During the break, Jack Grealish was seen receiving instructions before quickly heading down the tunnel to prepare for the second half.
He replaced Doku at the break and, just as the game kicked off, Doku made his way to the bench with ice strapped to his calf. Maresca did not provide an update on the severity of the Belgium international's injury post-match.
Potential return date: Unknown
Omar Marmoush
Injury: Unknown
Following a challenge in the final stages of the game, Marmoush landed awkwardly and looked to be in some discomfort. The Egypt international was seen calling over Grealish because he was unable to take the free kick he had been awarded.
In his post-match press conference, Maresca said: "He looks okay after the game, we'll see now." After that update, Marmoush should be able to feature for the Blues in their next game.
Potential return date: August 23 vs Bournemouth
Savinho
Injury: Illness
The Brazilian winger missed Thursday's open training session at the Joie Stadium amid speculation he could leave City this summer. Tottenham Hotspur are long-term admirers of Savinho, however, Maresca confirmed his absence in midweek was not due to transfer speculation.
"He was not part of the session [on Thursday], he was a little bit ill. We'll see today, the session is in the afternoon, so we'll see how he is today and we'll decide [whether he is available vs Arsenal]," the head coach said on Friday.
Savinho was not in the team to face Arsenal and was not spotted arriving with the squad in Cardiff. He could be available for the next game if he has overcome his illness.
Potential return date: August 23 vs Bournemouth
Ryan McAidoo
Injury: Shoulder
After an impressive performance against Inter Milan in Hong Kong, McAidoo missed the rest of the pre-season tour with a shoulder injury. Ahead of the trip to Cardiff, Maresca said: "The only one is Ryan McAidoo. He had a small problem in pre-season, but he's already worked with us so everyone is fit."
McAidoo was spotted arriving with the City players in the Welsh capital, but he did not make the bench. The youngster could make the squad next week when the Premier League begins.
Potential return date: August 23 vs Bournemouth