Barcelona boss Xavi admits he was surprised by Arsenal’s ‘intensity and tactical fouling’ during his side’s 5-3 defeat in the USA

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 beating their Spanish opponents 5-3. 

Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha put Barcelona in the lead twice, only to be pegged back 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 was more competitive than a regular friendly. 

Xavi Hernandez admitted he was surprised by the Gunners approach in their pre-season clash 

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.’

The 43-year-old was then asked if 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 game 

Arsenal took hold of the game and ran out 5-3 winners with Leandro Trossard scoring twice 

Barcelona’s friendly with Juventus was called off last weekend after 14 players suffered with a stomach bug. 

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 clas hagainst rivals Real Madrid before finishing their tour by playing AC Milan in Las Vegas next week. 

Meanwhile, Arsenal are set to return home from the States and will play Monaco at home in the Emirates Cup, before playing Man City in the Community Shield on August 6. They will then face Nottingham Forest in their Premier League opener on August 12.