Barcelona Coach Xavi Blasts Arsenal for Their Intensity in Their Friendly Clash

• Barcelona coach, Xavi was angry with how Arsenal carried themselves in their pre-season friendly
• The Gunners won the game 5-3, but there were a few heated moments in the game
• This was Barca's first pre-season game in the USA this year after their match vs. Juventus was canceled

Barcelona coach, Xavi was not happy with Arsenal's intensity in their ill-tempered pre-season friendly clash in the USA. The game was Barca's first in their pre-season tour after their opening clash vs. Juventus was canceled after some of the players fell ill.

The Gunners beat the Spanish giants 5-3 in the encounter, but some dangerous tackles overshadowed it.

The La Liga champions were up 2-1 in the first half, but Arsenal tied the game just before the half-time whistle. The game was over after the Gunners went 4-2 up with 12 minutes to go. Barca scored their third with two minutes left through Ferran Torres, but Fabio Vieira sealed the win for Mikel Arteta's side with an 89th-minute goal.

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Xavi's men got some much-needed minutes, with the start of the 2023/24 season edging closer. He had a few things to say about Arsenal's intensity.

“I told Mikel [Arteta] at the end of the game that it was a Champions League game. The intensity they put in was not normal for a friendly. For us it was only the first game, also after having a virus. It was really difficult for us,” he said, via Football Espana.

Xavi felt the game was only a friendly and could not understand Arsenal's use of excessive force.

“Our intensity didn’t surprise me. Theirs did. So many tactical fouls… It’s not normal. Everyone wants to compete, but it’s a friendly. They are at another level of intensity, physicality. I’m generally happy, we’ve seen positive things, our conclusions are positive.”

Fati and Balde destroy Arsenal

In the friendly, Ansu Fati and Alejandro Balde toyed with Arsenal's defense, especially Ben White, who was floored by Fati's skill. The two youngsters linked up beautifully, easily bypassing Arsenal's right flank, but failed to produce an end product.

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Barca fans will probably see the two link up when the season starts next month. Fati played 36 La Liga games last season but started just 12 of those games, per Transfermarkt.

Araujo's crunching tackle on Jesus

Sports Brief earlier reported on Barcelona's Ronald Araujo avoiding a serious punishment after his tackle on Arsenal striker, Gabriel Jesus.

With the Gunners' forward chasing the ball, the defender- hoping to win the ball back- unleashed a ferocious tackle, sending Jesus flying, but fortunately for him, the referee blew to his advantage.

Arsenal fans were enraged on social media and questioned the referee's decision not to send him off.