Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has defended the clubs �450 million summer spending spree, insisting the overhaul was necessary if they are to challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title. City completed a major rebuild during the transfer window, with deadline-day arrivals Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye making their debuts in Sundays 1-0 win over Coventry.The pair were the final additions to a squad that has undergone significant changes, with City spending more than �450 million during the summer.Maresca believes the depth available to Arsenal shows why City needed to strengthen their own squad if they are serious about competing at the top of the table.If you see since the Community Shield, Arsenal play two more games [against Coventry and Aston Villa] and they have five changes in every game, Maresca said.Two World Cup winners, [Mikel] Merino and [Martin] Zubimendi, two England players, [Eberechi] Eze and [Noni] Madueke, and the other one I dont remember, I think it was [Piero] Hincapie.In the end, if you want to be there you need options. Arsenal have options. We have options. More teams have options so its not just us. Im very happy with the options we have, that is something important for us if you want to compete.Maresca praises Andersons attitudeMaresca was particularly impressed by Andersons approach since joining the club, highlighting his willingness to learn as well as his performances on the pitch.Really impressed, but not just today, Maresca said.He was very good against Palace. He was also very good against Bournemouth having only been one week with us when we changed him for cramp.But the best thing with Elliot is the day by day. He is asking how he can learn, we sit with him in one-on-one video [analysis] and he wants to be better and that is the best thing for any player.City have won all three of their Premier League matches under Maresca so far and currently sit among the early challengers at the top of the table. Topics Arsenal F.C. Enzo Maresca Manchester City F.C. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Manchester City 1-0 Coventry: Haaland proves the difference again Tom Rostance 5th September, 2026 LIVE Manchester City v Coventry: Commentary, updates, goals and stats Jon Fisher 4th September, 2026 Man City v Coventry: Teams confirmed as Ndiaye starts Tom Rostance 5th September, 2026 Arsenal v Chelsea: Preview, expected line-ups, stats, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Jon Fisher 5th September, 2026 Man City v Coventry: Preview, predicted line-ups, stats and where to watch Ben Miller 4th September, 2026 Maresca hails Fernandezs winning mentality with record signing ready for Man City debut Nicholas McGee 4th September, 2026
