Arsenal star hails Man Utd cult hero for influence on high-flying Gunners

David Raya has been one of the stars of Arsenal’s brilliant season so far (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal continue to look almost impenetrable and goalkeeper David Raya has credited a summer arrival in the coaching staff for his influence.

The Gunners suffered a couple of early setbacks this season, losing narrowly at Liverpool and drawing with Manchester City , but have been superb since then.

Four wins on the bounce in the Premier League see Mikel Arteta ’s side sit top of the division and thanks to slip-ups from the Reds and City, Arsenal are already six points clear.

18 goals scored in 10 games is a very decent return, but it has been their defence that has truly stood out as exceptional.

Arteta’s men have conceded just three goals in their 10 Premier League outings so far, keeping four clean sheets on the spin in the top flight.

In all competitions, the Gunners have not conceded a goal in any of their last seven matches, with the last player to breach their defence being Newcastle ’s Nick Woltemade on September 28.

Raya has been a big part of this success but he has offered the credit to a man who won the Premier League with Manchester United .

Gabriel and William Saliba have forged a brilliant centre-back partnership in front of David Raya (Picture: Getty Images)

Former Red Devils defender Gabriel Heinze was brought into Arteta’s coaching staff over the summer and Raya feels the attitude of the Argentinian has been a welcome addition.

‘He’s a guy, he’s a coach, where he wants us to fight – a lot of intensity,’ Raya said after Arsenal beat Burnley on Saturday . ‘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.’

Gabriel Heinze is proving a popular addition to Arsenal’s ranks Getty Images)

Arteta also praised the relentless pursuit of success of Heinze, saying last month: ‘I think that’s something very, very collective with all the coaches, with the players, with their commitments as well and Gabi added something different, that willingness to win, I think.

‘We’ve seen that obviously through his career, that experience to win and to elevate somebody’s level and ambition and drive to the highest limit and he’s extraordinary at that.’

Arteta has also said that his players ‘love’ Heinze and his presence on the training ground.

Heinze joined the Gunners over the summer (Picture: Getty Images)

The 47-year-old had stints in charge of Godoy Cruz, Argentinos Juniors, Velez Sarsfield and most recently Newell’s Old Boys in his home country of Argentina.

He also had a brief spell as manager of Atlanta United in MLS. His most recent spell in a top job was with Newell’s, which ended in November 2023.