Arsenal: David Raya reveals how former Manchester United star is aiding title charge

Gabriel Heinze joined the Gunners’ backroom team in the summer

David Raya says the fighting spirit of Gabriel Heinze has helped Arsenal develop the meanest defence in the Premier League .

The Gunners kept their seventh clean sheet in a row on Saturday as they beat Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor.

Mikel Arteta’s side have shipped just three goals all season, and across the last four games Arsenal’s opponents have mustered in total just one shot on target.

And Raya has heaped praise on former Manchester United defender Heinze, who joined Arsenal as an assistant coach this summer, for his role in the Gunners’ remarkable form.

“He’s a guy, he’s a coach, where he wants us to fight - a lot of intensity,” said Arsenal goalkeeper Raya.

Mikel Arteta speaks with assistant coaches Albert Stuivenberg (C) and Gabriel Heinze

AFP via Getty Images

“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’s win at Burnley was their ninth in a row in all competitions and strengthened their position at the top of the Premier League .

The Gunners have also won all three of their games in the Champions League, with their next clash in that competition coming on Tuesday at Slavia Prague.

But Raya has urged his teammates not to get carried away after a fast start to the season.

We have to focus on ourselves, game by game and in the present ... it’s incredible, not just the defence, it’s a collective achievement

David Raya on table-topping Arsenal

“We have to think game by game,” he said. “We have to think it’s very early in the season. We’ve played 10 [league] games in the season, so it’s a lot of football to be played.

“We are only just starting in November, so obviously it’s nice to be there [at the top of the league] and to have those points.

“But we have to focus on ourselves, focus game by game and in the present.

“It’s incredible, not just the defence, I think it’s a collective achievement, if you want to put it that way.

“It starts from the striker, finishing with the goalkeeper. So, it’s just incredible to have that work rate from everyone, trying to shut teams down and not concede that many chances, not concede anything.

“And that’s just credit to everyone. So, it’s incredible to have that achievement.”