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Saliba reveals how Arsenal stars feel about summer recruit after 'HELL' claims
Tom Weber
- Updated: 5 Dec 2025 14:27 GMT
- 4 min read
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New Arsenal assistant coach Gabriel Heinze appears to have somewhat mellowed out since his controversial stint in charge of Atlanta United, according to defender William Saliba.
The Argentine joined Mikel Arteta's coaching staff in the summer, having known the Gunners manager since the two played together at PSG in the 2001/02 season.
Heinze's arrival caused some surprise among those familiar with his coaching career. The former Man Utd and Real Madrid star was previously accused of being overly intense and distant from his players.
In 2020, Heinze took charge of MLS franchise Atlanta United and his stint famously only lasted 13 games amid allegations of violating the player union's bargaining agreement, which prompted the union to file a complaint against the club.
According to Fox Sports, Heinze limited his players' water intake in training - requiring club doctors to intervene - only communicated with his squad via intermediaries and demanded that players be ready to report for duty around the clock. "It was hell every day for six months," one source told the outlet.
Heinze a crucial factor in Arsenal success
The 47-year-old appears to have learned from his past mistakes, however. Heinze is no longer employing any dangerous coaching methods, but he has retained his usual intensity during training, according to Arsenal defender William Saliba.
"Gabriel Heinze helps a lot, especially the defenders," Saliba told Men in Blazers. "He gives us energy because he’s always talking, always loud - even in training when we do simple things, he’s always loud. Even for nothing, he will be loud! He talks a lot, and it’s good to have him close to us. I think this guy can help us a lot."
While it is difficult to measure the impact of an assistant coach, it seems that Heinze has been a crucial factor in Arsenal becoming an unstoppable machine. His defensive expertise is evidently invaluable, with the Gunners only conceding seven times in 14 Premier League games despite injuries to Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
"He’s a winner," Arteta previously said of Heinze. "He's won in many clubs he's been at. He had a very different education as well, we've known each other for 23 years, I'm very close to that, that brings something extra.
"We complement each other really well, and everybody brings a different insight, a different character, a different personality, to the table that makes us a much better team. It makes me a much better coach as well, which is the intention to have the best resources to give to the players."
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