Following Arsenal’s dominant 4-0 victory over Atlético de Madrid in teh Champions League, key players David Raya and Gabriel Martinelli have been quick to highlight the significant impact of Gabriel Heinze.The former argentine international, who joined Mikel Arteta’s coaching staff just over three months ago, is already proving to be a game-changer for the Gunners, notably in shoring up their defense.

When asked about Heinze’s primary contribution, goalkeeper David Raya offered a blunt yet telling assessment: He brings a lot of intensity. Raya elaborated on the former real Madrid and Manchester United defender’s influence, stating, He puts a lot of pressure on us. He only wants the best for the group, especially in the defensive aspect. He gives us a lot of energy, he tells us what we have to do in each game, where they can hurt us.It is very important for us and it is being demonstrated with another clean sheet.

As his arrival in early July, Heinze has been primarily tasked with refining Arsenal’s defensive organization. Reports from the english press, including the Daily Mail, indicate that the former Argentine national team player leads rigorous training sessions. These sessions frequently enough involve intense drills and one-on-one challenges, focusing heavily on tactical positioning and defensive shape.This hands-on approach mirrors the demanding style Heinze was known for as a player.

The results speak for themselves. In the 12 matches played across all competitions this season (eight in the Premier League, three in the champions League, and one in the League Cup), Arsenal has maintained an impressive nine clean sheets. They’ve conceded a mere three goals: one each against Liverpool, Manchester City, and Newcastle United. This defensive solidity is a stark contrast to previous seasons and is a testament to the focused work being done on the training ground.

The praise for heinze extends beyond the goalkeeping department. gabriel martinelli, who scored a breathtaking goal in the recent match against Atlético de Madrid, also lauded the Argentine coach. Heinze’s animated party of Martinelli’s goal, alongside Mikel Arteta, underscored the strong bond already forming within the squad.

he is a sensational person, Martinelli shared. The entire team is agreeable with him. He has his Argentine gestures, but he is a sensational guy, whom the group embraced in an unbelievable way. He is now completely adapted and everyone loves him; they joke and have fun with him. This camaraderie is crucial for any team aiming for sustained success, creating an habitat where players feel supported and motivated.

Martinelli also revealed that Heinze’s guidance isn’t limited to defenders.He talks more with the defenders, but sometimes he gives us (the forwards) some tips when we have to mark and block the rival full-backs. So he ends up giving some instructions for us too,and we are learning the most from him. This cross-departmental coaching highlights Heinze’s comprehensive understanding of the game and his ability to impart valuable knowledge to all areas of the team.

Manager Mikel Arteta has also been vocal about the positive influence Heinze brings. Gabi brought something different: that will to win, Arteta stated. And we have seen it clearly throughout his career. That experience to win and raise someone’s level, ambition and drive to the maximum. he is remarkable at that.If someone tells you: If you do that,you will be successful and you know that he did it and that he achieved it,there is a lot of credibility in that. Arteta’s words emphasize Heinze’s role as a mentor, leveraging his own decorated playing career to inspire the current Arsenal squad.

The connection between Arteta and Heinze is rooted in their shared past. The two first crossed paths as teammates during the 2001/02 season at Paris Saint-Germain, a squad that also featured Mauricio Pochettino. Reflecting on this period, Arteta previously shared, (Heinze and Pochettino) They were by my side all the time, behind me, and they were guiding me in everything I had to do in my professional life, how I had to understand the game, and they were an inspiration for me. This long-standing respect and understanding likely contribute to their effective working relationship today.

Heinze’s tenure at Arsenal as an assistant coach is building upon a wealth of experience gained from previous head coaching roles at clubs such as Godoy Cruz, argentinos Juniors, Vélez Sarsfield, Atlanta United, and Newell’s Old Boys. this diverse background provides him with a broad perspective on football strategy and player advancement, which he is now applying to great effect in the demanding environment of the Premier League.

🇦🇷 Gabriel Heinze btw. He’s been getting his hands dirty and has made our defenders even stronger and better than they already were. The Argentinian first-team coach is one of the signings of the summer!
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— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7)