Arsenal won 2-0 at Burnley on Saturday to continue their fast start fo the Premier League season and the Gunners now hold a six-point lead over their closest challengers
Gabriel Heinze during Arsenal training
Gabriel Heinze has made a quick impact at Arsenal(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
View Image
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has shed light on the ways in which Gabriel Heinze has helped the Gunners race to the top of the Premier League table this season. Former Manchester United defender Heinze joined the club's coaching staff over the summer and has made an instant impact.
After 10 games of the new campaign, Arsenal sit six points clear of closest challengers Manchester City with 25 points from a possible 30. Their defensive record has been a huge factor, with just three goals conceded, and Raya has outlined the role 47-year-old ex-Argentina star Heinze has played since his arrival.
“He’s a guy, he’s a coach, where he wants us to fight - a lot of intensity,” Raya told reporters after Saturday's win at Brentford. “To win games, you have to defend very well, especially in this league. This is the toughest league in the world.
“You have to be very, very, very solid to be able to win games. Normally, the games are won by one goal.
“So, it’s really, really important to keep that asset from us, from everyone. Not just the back line, just every single player. So, it’s a lot of credit to him as well.”
Arsenal conceded three times in their first six games, losing to Liverpool, drawing with Manchester City and coming from behind to win at Newcastle. Since then, they have won four games on the spin without conceding a single goal.
They're also yet to concede in the Champions League - where they face a trip to Slavia Prague on Tuesday - and the Carabao Cup. Saturday's league win at Burnley came via goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Declan Rice before half-time, with manager Mikel Arteta speaking about the defensive strength after the game.
"It’s a really tough place to come," Arteta said after the victory at Turf Moor. "They've lost once [here] in 18 months, against Liverpool, with the last kick of the game from a penalty.
"I think we started the game exceptionally well. I think the first half was one of the best that we've played. Scored two goals, generated another two or three big chances and conceded nothing.
"That was a platform because in the second half, we dropped the standards, especially with the ball and with our intentions to take more risks and play forwards. But again, defensively, we were exceptional until the point of the free-kick [from Marcus Edwards]. We were a bit lucky that it hit the post and we kept the clean sheet."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Content Image
Content Image