Dias admits City's 3-0 Community Shield loss to Arsenal 'is not good enough'

Ruben Dias conceded that Manchester City’s 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal on Sunday was “not good enough”, as new head coach Enzo Maresca suffered a chastening start to competitive life at the Etihad.

City were second best from the opening minute, with Riccardo Calafiori slotting home inside 60 seconds to hand Arsenal an early lead in front of their travelling support. Kai Havertz doubled the advantage before the half-hour mark with a close-range header past Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Martin Odegaard put the result beyond doubt shortly after the break, rounding Donnarumma and finishing into an open goal.

Dias, who captained the side, was candid in his assessment. “It’s the beginning of the season but it’s not good enough,” he said. “Many things are changing and a new manager as well. Still, the way the game starts, it just sets you off right away. They get comfortable playing their game. But in the end, this is just starting and the most important thing is that we’re already looking forward, and we will be ready for our next game.”

The Portuguese centre-back, who returned to pre-season training midway through the summer, acknowledged the frustration of losing a final while urging his teammates to treat it as a learning experience. “This is the third game since I’ve been back. The feeling has been good. Obviously, today it’s frustrating and it’s a final we want to win, but there is a lesson to be learned from the final — let it be this one because there’s a lot more coming.”

Despite the heavy loss, Dias insisted the mood within the squad remains constructive as they adapt to Maresca’s methods. “The feeling is there is a lot of work to put in. It’s part of a new transition for things not to be so perfect in the beginning and you need to push through, you need to keep on working, you need to communicate, you need to make things work between us and, obviously, with Enzo as well.”

Sunday marked Maresca’s first competitive match since taking charge following Pep Guardiola’s departure, and the manner of the defeat underlines the work ahead before City host Bournemouth in their Premier League opener next Sunday.