Arsenal 5-3 Barcelona: Xavi slams Mikel Arteta's tactics after defeat to Gunners

Arsenal 5-3 Barcelona: Xavi slams Mikel Arteta's tactics after defeat to Gunners

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 09:02 - 27.07.2023

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez was not happy after his team's performance against Arsenal and had some words for Mikel Arteta.

Barcelona began their preparations for the new season, a week later than intended after their game against Juventus last week was canceled. 

Arsenal, on the other hand, had four games under their belt and Mikel Arteta's men looked the sharper, hungrier side. 

Arsenal too good for Barcelona

Arsenal defeated Barcelona 5-3 in a pre-season friendly in the United States
Arsenal and Barcelona bosses Mikel Arteta and Xavi Hernandez

Barcelona did take the lead through Robert Lewandowski but after Bukayo Saka equalised, Arsenal settled into the ascendency. 

Both sides traded goals but ultimately the Gunners came out on top. In the post-match interview, Xavi was not impressed by Arsenal's tactics.

Xavi on Arsenal's tactics

"The intensity Arsenal put in was too much, too many fouls for a pre-season game" 

When pressed further Xavi continued

"I understand that everyone wants to win, but I told Arteta that it looked like a Champions League match. The intensity that they put was too high."

Barcelona will look to get up to speed as they play Real Madrid on Saturday in Arlington. 

Arteta's men play Monaco on August 2, their final pre-season game ahead of the Community shield match against Manchester City.

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