In a fiery encounter during Arsenal’s final game of their pre-season tour in Los Angeles, Mikel Arteta criticized Barcelona for their unusually aggressive behavior, leaving Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard fortunate to avoid serious injuries. The match ended in a thrilling 5-3 victory for Arsenal, but it was marred by nasty challenges from the opposing team.
Arteta expressed his dismay, stating, “From the very first tackle, it got really competitive for a friendly match.” The intensity displayed by both teams surprised many, given the game’s friendly status. Playing in front of 70,000 spectators, the elite players were determined to win, turning the match into a more intense affair than anticipated.
The Arsenal manager acknowledged that football ultimately belongs to the players, and once the game starts, they rebel against coaching instructions and follow their instincts. Despite the excessive physicality, Arteta was proud of the show they put on for the enthusiastic crowd.
Barcelona’s head coach, Xaxi, admitted that the match felt more like a Champions League game due to the intensity exhibited by both sides. He expressed concern over the number of injuries and yellow cards, emphasizing that such aggression was unexpected for a friendly encounter.
Notably, Arsenal’s £105 million signing, Declan Rice, missed the match as a precautionary measure after sustaining a kick during training. Arteta explained, “Dec wasn’t comfortable to train, and we didn’t want to take any risks.” The team also faced setbacks with Aleksandr Zinchenko nursing a muscular issue, limiting his playing time during the tour.
Despite spending £200 million on signings like Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber this summer, Arteta acknowledged the need to fine-tune the squad and possibly offload some players. Arsenal currently has 30 players in the squad, which the manager deemed unsustainable.
He remained optimistic about the squad’s potential, expressing contentment with their current state. Arteta praised Gabriel Jesus for his performance in the last game, stating, “It’s the best Gabi I’ve seen in months.” He lauded Jesus for transmitting energy, creating chaos, and elevating the team’s performance.
Additionally, Arteta expressed satisfaction with the contributions of Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard, acknowledging the array of attacking options at his disposal. As the new season approaches, Arteta anticipates healthy competition among the forwards, providing him with tough decisions to make.
As Arsenal continues their preparations for the upcoming season, Arteta is determined to strike the right balance and lead the team to success while maintaining their players’ well-being.
