Barcelona boss Xavi says Arsenal’s effort levels and intensity during their pre-season friendly win against his side was ‘not normal’.
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The Gunners saw off the Catalans in Los Angeles on Wednesday night with a 5-3 victory.
Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Fabio Vieira all got on the scoresheet for the Gunners following a good start from the Spaniards.
The game was far from a traditional pre-season friendly, with a number of overzealous challenges and a bit of spice between the two sides.
And Xavi admitted after the defeat that he was ‘surprised’ by Arsenal’s intensity, describing it as ‘not normal’ for a friendly.
‘Well I said to Mikel at the end of the game that it was a Champions League game because the intensity that they put was ‘not normal’,’ said Xavi.
‘It was not usual for a friendly game. But I understand perfectly that everybody wants to win.’
Xavi did concede, though, that the Gunners deserved to win.
‘Arsenal deserved the victory,’ said Xavi.
‘The rhythm and the physique have been the main difference. Apart from the result, we are satisfied.’
MORE : Mikel Arteta explains why Declan Rice missed Arsenal win against Barcelona
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