Arsenal have delivered a major surprise by parting ways with their head of sports medicine, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, only a few days after their Champions League final loss. The veteran medical expert has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect following an exhausting season that ended with a historic Premier League triumph.

Gunners part ways with medical director

Chief executive Richard Garlick reportedly informed the 51-year-old of his dismissal during an unexpected meeting held last Monday. As per The Telegraph, the decision stunned many within the club, particularly since Spanish physiotherapist Joaquin Acedo had recently been brought in to assess Arsenal’s ongoing injury issues. Despite managing a demanding 63-match season that concluded with their first league title in 22 years, the club’s top management decided to make the change shortly after their European campaign ended.

Internal reaction to sudden exit

The reasoning behind the abrupt sacking remains somewhat unclear, leaving colleagues and staff members shocked by the exit of the Football Association Medical Society’s chairperson. According to reports, the development took both Dr. Iqbal and the rest of the medical team by complete surprise. The move is particularly striking considering his extensive eight-year stint at Crystal Palace and previous top-level experience with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Workload scrutiny after title success

Arsenal’s medical staff have faced intense examination during the season, especially amid several fitness setbacks during the decisive title run-in. Internal discussions have reportedly centred on understanding the reasons behind extended absences for key players such as Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Kai Havertz, all of whom missed critical periods during the title-winning campaign.

Members of the backroom team have been analysing factors such as training intensity, team selection, rotation policies, and recovery management to identify why certain players struggled with the physical demands. Mikel Arteta’s relentless, high-intensity training methods ultimately yielded trophies, but unexpected injuries—like Mikel Merino’s broken foot in January, from which he only returned on the final day—complicated the department’s work throughout the season.

Arteta begins backroom restructuring

With pre-season preparations approaching, Arsenal must act quickly to recruit a top-tier medical lead before the first team returns for summer training. Restructuring the support setup has become crucial for Arteta as he aims to maintain player fitness and resilience in what promises to be another fiercely competitive campaign. The club’s backroom revamp is expected to be completed before the 2026-27 Premier League season kicks off on August 22.