Man City signings and Shield slaughter suggest season slump

Manchester City’s preparations to begin the defence of their Premier League title had a setback, as they were humbled 3-0 in the traditional season curtain raiser by a spirited Arsenal in the Community Shield. They are 5/2 second-favourites to be top-flight champions again this term.

Granted, the Sky Blues were arguably without eight important players, due to them being rested from the World Cup or still not ready, but their display lacked any kind of threat or determination as they managed just one shot on target.

The likes of Sergio Aguero, Martin Demichelis, captain Vincent Kompany, Fernandinho and Pablo Zabaleta were all left out due to their contributions in Brazil. New signings Bacary Sagna and Frank Lampard as well as Alvaro Negredo, meanwhile, joined them on the sidelines as they are not yet fit.

“It’s difficult to be ready in two weeks,” City boss Manuel Pellegrini said ahead of the new Premier League season, prior to his side’s defeat at Wembley. “The players Aguero, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Sagna, Fernandinho just arrived seven days ago.

“They will have 15 days before we start the Premier League, so we will see which of them are ready and which of them are not ready.”

But despite those absentees for City, they still possessed a strong line-up that featured the likes of Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko and new boy Fernando Reges. The Gunners were even without World Cup winners Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski.

Pellegrini, it seems, will need to dip back into the transfer market for some much-needed talent, especially as all the clubs around them, including Arsenal, have strengthened considerably. The Chilean has added defender Eliaquim Mangala, though.

Arsene Wenger has brought in former Barcelona superstar Alexis Sanchez, while Chelsea have finally found a threatening forward, Diego Costa, as well as taking Cesc Fabregas back to the Premier League. Liverpool, meanwhile, has splashed heavily on new recruits after selling Luis Suarez to Barca, and Manchester United, who seem to have got their confidence back under Louis van Gaal, have improved their line-up with Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera.

Can the same be said for City? Is new goalkeeper Willy Caballero, uncapped by his nation Argentina, any better than Joe Hart? Are Fernando, 27, who has also not played for his country (Brazil), and ageing Lampard improvements to their midfield? And will other supposed high-profile signing Sagna edge out Zabaleta at right back? Young Argentine Bruno Zuculini is the other new City transfer.