Barca boss Xavi Hernandez hits out at Arsenal: "It was like an UCL game"

Generally satisfied with Barcelona's pre-season debut, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez was surprised by Arsenal's "intensity", more typical, in his opinion, of a "Champions League" match than a "friendly".

"Our intensity didn't surprise me... theirs did, to be honest. This intensity is not normal, so many tactical fouls? But it's football, we all want to compete," said the coach at a press conference.

"For us it was our first game after the virus. They looked like they were playing a Champions League match," said Xavi, who spoke after the game with Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta about the English side's "intensity".

Barcelona paid for their lack of form against a better Arsenal side by losing 5-3 in Los Angeles in their first friendly of their pre-season tour of the USA after having had to suspende their game against Juventus due to gastroenteritis which affected a large part of the dressing room.