Surprise Sacking at Arsenal

Arsenal has parted ways with their head of medical services, Zafar Iqbal, just days after their Champions League final defeat, as revealed by "The Telegraph."

The 51-year-old specialist, who joined the club in February 2024, was reportedly called to a meeting last Monday where he was informed of his immediate dismissal. The news came as a significant surprise to both Iqbal himself and the rest of the medical team.

The sacking follows an internal review of the team's injury record. Last month, it emerged that the club had commissioned Spanish physiotherapist Joaquin Acedo, a long-time acquaintance of Mikel Arteta, to analyze injury statistics throughout the season. It remains unclear whether Iqbal's departure is directly linked to Acedo's report.

It has been noted that various opinions circulated within the club during the season regarding the reasons for the prolonged absences of key players such as Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Kai Havertz. The training process, squad selection, rotation, and medical care were all considered potential factors contributing to the injury problems and player workload.

At Arsenal, Iqbal led the sports medicine and performance department. Prior to this, he held a similar position at Crystal Palace for nearly eight years, and before that, he spent over four years at Liverpool. His career also includes stints at Tottenham, where he initially worked as an academy doctor before moving to the first team.