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.

Zafar Iqbal with Crystal Palace (Photo via Sky Sports)
Zafar Iqbal with Crystal Palace (Photo via Sky Sports)

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.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal speaks to Dr Gary O'Driscoll, Team Doctor of Arsenal following a knock to his head during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal speaks to Dr Gary O’Driscoll, Team Doctor of Arsenal following a knock to his head during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on December 26, 2019. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

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.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

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