Xavi Says Arsenal's Intensity During 5-3 Win Over Barcelona Was "Not Normal For A Friendly"

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez was shocked by the "intensity" of Arsenal during Wednesday's pre-season friendly in Los Angeles.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal beat Barca 5-3 in a game watched by 70,223 fans at SoFi Stadium.

This was Arsenal's fourth friendly of the summer, while it was Barca's first. The Spanish champions had canceled a planned match against Juventus earlier this month after multiple players caught a virus.

Speaking following Wednesday's game, Xavi admitted that the Gunners were in a much better condition than his team physically.

Xavi also said that he was shocked by how many fouls Arsenal's players committed - 22, compared to Barca's 12.

"It was a good game for the fans but not so much for the coaches," Xavi told reporters in LA.

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo (left) and Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus (right) both pictured on the ground after competing for the ball during Wednesday's pre-season friendly

IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Ringo Chiu

"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 defense.

"There were positives and negatives, though. I said to Mikel at the end of the game that 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."

After being asked if the attitude shown by the Gunners had surprised him, Xavi replied: "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."

Arsenal beat Barcelona 5-3 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles

IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Alex Cave

Despite appearing to question Arteta's approach to the match, Xavi went on to speak of his admiration for the Arsenal boss.

He added: "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 defense."