Xavi makes a salty comment after Arsenal thrashes his Barcelona side

Arsenal fans were left delighted after their team secured a thrilling 5-3 victory over Barcelona in a friendly match at the magnificent SoFi Stadium in LA. However, it was the comments made by Barcelona manager Xavi after the game that caught the attention of Arsenal supporters.

Xavi expressed his surprise at the intensity displayed by Arsenal during the match, stating that it felt more like a Champions League game than a friendly. “I said to Mikel at the end of the game that it means a Champions League game because the intensity that they put was not normal in a friendly. But I understand everybody wants to win,” Xavi told Football.London.

The match started with Barcelona taking an early lead through Robert Lewandowski, but Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka quickly equalized. Saka then had an eventful first half, missing a penalty before Barcelona retook the lead with a deflected Raphinha free-kick.

However, Arsenal fought back and leveled things up again just before halftime when Kai Havertz turned home Martin Odegaard’s header. The Gunners then took control of the game when Leandro Trossard scored a stunning goal from just inside the area to give them the lead.

Trossard wasn’t done yet and added another goal to his tally, finishing from Kieran Tierney’s cross. Barcelona managed to pull one back through Ferran Torres, but it was too little too late as Fabio Vieira sealed Arsenal’s victory with a stunning strike late in the game.

The result left Arsenal fans ecstatic and proud of their team’s performance against one of Europe’s top clubs. They took to social media to highlight Xavi’s comments about their team’s intensity and used it as further proof of their team’s determination and hunger for success.

For many Arsenal fans, this victory served as a statement of intent ahead of the upcoming season. After finishing eighth in the Premier League last season, the Gunners are eager to bounce back and challenge for a top-four spot. The win against Barcelona, even in a friendly, provided a glimpse of the team’s potential and raised hopes among the fanbase.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 26: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates with Gabriel and teammates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

While some may argue that it was just a friendly match and the result doesn’t hold much significance, Arsenal fans are relishing the opportunity to celebrate a victory over a club with Barcelona’s pedigree. It serves as a morale boost for both the players and the fans as they look ahead to the challenges that lie ahead.

Overall, Arsenal fans have every right to be proud of their team’s performance against Barcelona. The intensity displayed by their players caught the attention of Xavi himself, further validating their belief in their team’s abilities. This victory will undoubtedly serve as motivation for Arsenal as they continue their preparations for the upcoming season.