Arsenal find replacement after key staffer leaves for Manchester United | OneFootball

Arsenal are set to appoint Crystal Palace’s head of sports medicine as their new doctor this summer, replacing Gary O’Driscoll after his move to Manchester United.

David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Arsenal will appoint Crystal Palace head of sports medicine Zafar Iqbal as their new club doctor in the summer, once Iqbal has served his notice period at Palace.

Iqbal is viewed as the permanent replacement for Gary O’Driscoll, who joined Manchester United earlier this year to be closer to his family.

The Palace man has also previously worked at Leyton Orient, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool, but he’s spent more than eight years with his current club.

Ornstein reports that Florence Newton has taken on O’Driscoll’s old job on an interim basis this season, supported by academy doctor Ges Steinbergs.

Arsenal had reportedly considered Mark Gillett, the Premier League’s chief medical officer, to replace O’Driscoll.

But the Gunners have now landed on Iqbal as their permanent appointment to the position.

Given Iqbal’s experience, he should be a good addition to the Arsenal medical team, and a strong replacement for O’Driscoll.