Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez admitted he was surprised by Arsenal‘s intensity and their tactical fouling as the Gunners defeated the La Liga winners in Los Angeles.
The two European heavyweights met in a pre-season clash while on tour in the US, with the Premier League side defeating their Spanish opponents with a 5-3 win.
Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha put Barcelona in the lead twice, only to be pegged by Mikel Arteta’s side thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka and new signing Kai Havertz.
A brace from Leandro Trossard then saw Arsenal take control of the game, and not even Ferran Torres’ third could help the Spanish giants, as Fabio Vieira sealed the game for the Gunners with their fifth.
Speaking after the game in his post-match news conference, the Barca boss thought it was obvious that Arsenal were ahead of them in their pre-season schedule and admitted the game more competitive than a regular friendly.
Xavi Hernandez admitted that he was surprised by the Gunners approach as the met in the US
The Barca boss wasn’t expecting the intensity and tactical fouls by Arsenal in the game
The two managers have a long-term friendship having played together in Barca’s youth team
‘It was a good game for the fans but not so much for the coaches,’ Xavi said.
‘It was up and down. You could tell Arsenal are much further down the line than us, that said, we were far too soft in defence.
‘There were positives and negatives, though. I said to Mikel at the end of the game, it was like a Champions League tie with the intensity they put in.
‘It was not normal for a friendly, but I understand everyone wants to win. For us, it was our first friendly and we went into it off the back of loads of players having had a bug.’
Asked to elaborate on his comment about Arsenal’s intensity, the 43-year-old was asked if it Arteta’s approach surprised him.
He added: ‘Not ours, but Arsenal’s, yes. It is not normal to play with so much intensity, making tactical fouls.
‘Everyone wants to compete, but it is a friendly. They were playing with another level of intensity. We took it seriously but the main reason [for losing] was the difference in rhythm and match sharpness.’
Robert Lewandowski got Barca off the best start as they took the lead in the pre-season clash
Arsenal took hold of the game and run out 5-3 winners with Leandro Trossard scoring twice
Barcelona’s friendly with Juventus was called off last weekend after 14 players went down with a stomach bug, so the game in Los Angeles was the first chance he’s had to prepare for the defence of their title.
Despite the difference approaches from the two sides, Xavi went on to share his admiration for Arteta and their friendship.
He said: ‘We have had similar careers. We were both kids at Barca and we played together. I wish him all the best and I respect him very much.
‘Arsenal deserved the win. Speed and fitness were the main difference. With the ball we were good, but we were bad in defence.’
Barca gave debuts to summer recruits Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu in the defeat, and now head to Dallas to play an El Clasico against Real Madrid before finishing their tour by playing AC Milan in Las Vegas next week.
Meanwhile Arsenal will return home following the culmination of the time stateside, as they prepare for the opening day of the Premier League season when they face Nottingham Forest.
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