Arsenal sacks chief doctor Zafar Iqbal after Champions League final loss
Arsenal has dismissed head of sports medicine Dr. Zafar Iqbal shortly after losing the Champions League final, citing an internal review of frequent player injuries during their Premier League-winning season. The club is set to replace him with former Olympic sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes, who previously worked at Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. Spanish physiotherapist Joaquín Acedo has been brought in to review training intensity and medical support.
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Arsenal Medical Director Zafar Iqbal Confirms Departure After Successful Season
Arsenal's Head of Medical Services, Zafar Iqbal, has confirmed he is leaving the club after two years in the role, according to Sky Sports and reported by Hupu on June 13. His departure comes amid a season where Arsenal faced significant injury problems, leading to online speculation about the reasons for his exit. In a statement, Iqbal acknowledged the rumors but said the truth is simple: after a successful season, it is the right time for both him and the club to pursue new directions. He did not provide further details on the speculation. The announcement marks the end of his tenure as the club's top medical official.
虎扑 - 足球Arsenal to appoint former Portuguese Olympic sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes as head doctor
Arsenal are set to appoint Arnaldo Abrantes, a former Portuguese Olympic sprinter who competed in the 2008 Beijing Games, as their new head doctor. Abrantes leaves Aston Villa, where he worked after three seasons at Nottingham Forest (2020-2023), to replace Zafar Iqbal at the Premier League champions. The move comes after Arsenal's successful but injury-plagued 2025-26 season, which saw them win the English league for the first time in 22 years and reach the Champions League final. Abrantes, who transitioned from athletics to sports medicine, will begin his role in July. Two other doctors have also moved from Aston Villa to Arsenal in recent months.
RecordOrnstein confirms Arsenal have made their first major move of the summer
Arsenal are set to appoint Arnaldo Abrantes as their new first-team doctor, replacing Dr Zafar Iqbal. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Portuguese specialist left Aston Villa at the end of the season and is expected to begin work with Arsenal in July. Abrantes brings a unique background as a former Olympic sprinter for Portugal before transitioning into sports medicine. The appointment comes after a demanding campaign where Arsenal won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final, but faced significant injury problems. The move is seen as a strategic behind-the-scenes strengthening to maintain squad fitness and performance standards as Arsenal compete on multiple fronts next season.
CaughtOffsideArsenal Appoints Former Olympic Sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes as Chief Team Doctor
Arsenal is set to appoint former Olympic sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes as the club's chief team doctor, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein. Abrantes, who previously served at Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, will replace Zafar Iqbal in July. The Portuguese sprinter represented his country at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The move comes as Arsenal, despite ending a 22-year league title drought and reaching Champions League and League Cup finals, continues to struggle with injuries. Captain Martin Odegaard has made only 36 appearances due to knee and muscle issues, while England coach Thomas Tuchel noted Bukayo Saka is still recovering from an end-of-season injury.
虎扑 - 足球Telegraph: Former Olympic Sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes Favorite to Become Arsenal's New First-Team Doctor
According to The Telegraph, former Portuguese Olympic sprinter Arnaldo Abrantes, 39, is the leading candidate to become Arsenal's new first-team doctor after the surprise sacking of Zafar Iqbal. Abrantes, who previously served as director of medical services at Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, was a Portuguese 100m and 200m national champion and competed in the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics. Iqbal's dismissal came days after Arsenal's Champions League final defeat, surprising staff. The club has also brought in Spanish physiotherapist Joaquín Acedo, a friend of manager Mikel Arteta, to review injury problems. Arsenal's injury record last season was problematic, with key players like Jurriën Timber, Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Kai Havertz missing significant time. The club's high-intensity training style is cited as a contributing factor. Additionally, Arteta's contract, with one year remaining, is a top priority for the summer.
虎扑 - 足球Arsenal set to replace head of medical Dr Zafar Iqbal after title-winning season
Arsenal are preparing for a significant behind-the-scenes change as head of medical Dr Zafar Iqbal is expected to leave the club. According to the BBC, the departure process is underway following a meeting last week. Iqbal, who joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace with previous experience at Liverpool and Tottenham, has led the Gunners' medical department. The news comes after Arsenal won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final in the 2025-26 season. The article emphasizes the critical role of medical and performance departments in modern football, especially for teams competing on multiple fronts. Arsenal must now find a replacement quickly to maintain high standards and ensure continuity in injury prevention and squad management ahead of the next demanding campaign.
CaughtOffsideArsenal head of sports medicine Dr Zafar Iqbal to leave club after two years
Arsenal's head of sports medicine, Dr Zafar Iqbal, is leaving the club after two years. He was informed of his departure in a meeting following Arsenal's Champions League final loss to Paris St-Germain. The process to find his replacement has begun. Iqbal, who previously worked at Crystal Palace and Liverpool, joined Arsenal in 2024, replacing Gary O'Driscoll. The decision is described as unexpected, though some staff had sensed uncertainty in recent weeks. The reasons for his departure are unclear, but the squad suffered several key injuries during the season. Iqbal is highly respected in football.
BBC SportArsenal Sacks Chief Doctor Zafar Iqbal After Champions League Final Loss
Arsenal has sacked chief medical doctor Zafar Iqbal just days after losing the Champions League final. Iqbal, a highly respected sports medicine expert who joined the club in February 2024, was called to a meeting last Monday and told he would leave immediately. The decision was announced by club CEO Richard Garrick. The dismissal comes amid an internal review of the team's frequent injury problems this season, led by Spanish physiotherapist Joaquín Acedo, who has worked with manager Mikel Arteta for years. Key players including Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Julian Timber, and Kai Havertz suffered long-term injuries during Arsenal's Premier League-winning season, which included 63 competitive matches. The club is assessing training intensity, formation, player rotation, and medical support. Iqbal and his medical team were reportedly shocked by the decision. Iqbal previously held senior roles at Crystal Palace, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur, and chairs the FA Medical Association.
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