Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca believes his side now possesses the squad depth required to mount a genuine challenge to Arsenal for the Premier League title this season.

The Italian’s comments came in the aftermath of City’s 1-0 win over Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium, where a first-half header from Erling Haaland proved decisive.

The victory extended City’s perfect start to the campaign, with three wins from three outings so far.

City were characteristically busy in the summer transfer market, closing out the window with a flurry of high-profile additions. Ayyoub Bouaddi arrived for £86 million, while deadline day saw further significant outlay as Iliman Ndiaye joined for £65 million and Enzo Fernandez completed a £125 million switch.

Earlier in the window, the club had already committed £116 million to sign Elliot Anderson, pushing their total summer expenditure to £458 million, a new record for a single transfer window in Premier League history.

Despite finishing seven points adrift of champions Arsenal last term, Maresca is adamant his revamped squad now has the strength in depth to match their rivals.

Pointing to Arsenal’s own rotation policy and array of quality options, including World Cup winners and England internationals, the City boss argued that competing at the top level demands exactly this kind of squad depth, something he feels his club has finally achieved.

With City sitting top of the table on nine points, Arsenal have the chance to draw level when they host Chelsea on Sunday, in what shapes up as an early-season litmus test for the title race.