Xavi: “I’m Surprised by Arsenal’s Intensity in a Friendly Match”
“Despite the defeat, I’m pleased with our ball distribution and the fact that nobody got injured.” “Gündogan and Oriol Romeu performed well, and Balde had an outstanding game.” Xavi Hernández drew positive conclusions from Barcelona’s first preseason friendly, despite the 5-3 loss to Arsenal. However, he couldn’t help but criticize his counterpart, Mikel Arteta, for the high intensity displayed by Arsenal’s players on the pitch during a preparation match. Right after the game, Xavi confronted the ‘gunners’ coach, saying, “I’m quite surprised by their intensity. It wasn’t typical of a preseason match. There were many tactical fouls… it felt more like a Champions League game than a friendly.” Despite his remarks, Xavi acknowledged Arsenal’s superiority, stating, “The victory was well-deserved for Arsenal. The main reason for our defeat was the difference in intensity and physical condition. It was their fifth match, and it showed. They are operating at a higher rhythm, a Champions League level, and they have players with immense offensive abilities.” He concluded, “It was an entertaining match for the spectators, but uncomfortable for the coaches, as it was an end-to-end affair.” That being said, the Barcelona coach highlighted the positive aspects he observed in the first preseason game, noting, “We were a bit timid in defense, but we gained valuable minutes. Despite Arsenal being more prepared, we finished strong. I’m content because even though we faced pressure from their pressing, our ball distribution was good. Additionally, we were able to test players in different positions: Frenkie played as a holding midfielder; Dembélé in a more central role; Ferran Torres as a striker… And most importantly, nobody got injured, which is a positive sign, especially for those players who recently recovered from a stomach virus.” Regarding individual performances, Xavi praised the new signings, stating, “Gündogan and Oriol Romeu did well. Fermín López also performed at a similar level.” However, he singled out one player for exceptional praise, saying, “Balde had an extraordinary game. While it took some time for the rest to find their competitive rhythm, the main objective was to get everyone in good physical shape.”
