Arsenal sack head doctor Zafar Iqbal

Arsenal have sacked head doctor Zafar Iqbal just a few days after the end of the season.

Iqbal had been at the club since February 2024, having previously held roles at Liverpool and Tottenham.

It is understood that Iqbal was called to a meeting last week and informed he would be leaving Arsenal with immediate effect.

The Gunners have contended with significant injury problems over the past few years, leading to Mikel Arteta bringing in physiotherapist Joaquin Acedo to conduct a review in recent months.

Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz are among those to have spent significant spells on the sidelines this season.

Arsenal's transfer business last summer was focused far more on squad depth than in previous windows in a direct attempt to ensure injuries did not derail another season.

That approach paid off and led to a first Premier League title in 22 years, but changes have still been made and the process to replace Iqbal has already begun.

Arteta has repeatedly emphasised his desire for Arsenal to improve their injury record and made it clear again this season that would be a key factor in determining the title race.

“I’ve said it many times – get all the players available in April, May … your best players on the pitch as much as possible and the probability to win it increases dramatically,” Arteta said.

“It’s as simple and as difficult as that.”

In the treatment room at Arsenal's training ground, there is a constant reminder of that on the walls. It reads: “Your best ability is your availability.”

There was a pointed message from Arteta in April after the defeat to Bournemouth, when Arsenal's season threatened to come off the rails.

Whether it was aimed at the players or the medical staff, the Spaniard made it clear that the injury situation had to improve, even if that meant playing through the pain.

“We need everybody fit and available," Arteta said.

"So the ones that are not involved, the ones that are not with us that are really big important players, we need them immediately with us."