Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez told Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta that the intensity that the Premier League side showed against the Spanish giants was that of a UEFA Champions League fixture and "not normal" for a pre-season friendly game.
Xavi says @Arsenal's intensity was 'not normal' and reveals he told Mikel Arteta that it was like a @ChampionsLeague game! 🔥
— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) July 27, 2023
🔗 https://t.co/mQJgYEqMAw pic.twitter.com/MVVBVehi19
However, the 43-year-old boss understood that everybody wanted to win the game, hence the physicality.
Xavi also noted that the game was difficult for Barca after several of their players contracted viral gastroenteritis, causing their friendly match against Juventus to be canceled last Saturday. The game against Arsenal was their first after the illness plagued the team.
"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," the Barcelona boss said.
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Arsenal wins in an eight-goal thriller
The Premier League side outmatched Barcelona in their pre-season friendly match, 5-3, held at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Belgian winger Leandro Trossard's helped the Gunners take control of the match after Barca took an early 2-1 courtesy of Pichichi trophy winner Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal's talented winger, scored a penalty to open the scoring for his side. He missed a penalty that could have given the Gunners a first-half lead.
The game was tied at 2-2 going into halftime before Trossard's barrage in the second half gave Arsenal the lead for good.
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