Former Crystal Palace Head of Sports Medicine Zafar Iqbal has joined Arsenal earlier than expected, and he was spotted working with the Gunners on Monday.

Back in December, David Ornstein broke the news that Arsenal would appoint Crystal Palace head of sports medicine Zafar Iqbal as their new club doctor in the summer, once he’d served his notice period at Palace.

Iqbal was viewed as the permanent replacement for Gary O’Driscoll, who joined Manchester United earlier in 2023 to be closer to his family.

The Palace Head of Sports Medicine had also previously worked at Leyton Orient, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool, but he’d spent more than eight years with the Eagles.

But it seems the situation has changed, and football writer Chris Davison spotted Iqbal helping Gabriel Martinelli from the pitch during Arsenal’s game against Sheffield United on Monday.

Iqbal’s LinkedIn profile confirms that he’s now working as Arsenal’s Head of Sports Medicine & Performance, and he has been since February.

February is also listed as the date Iqbal’s time with Crystal Palace came to an end, so it seems he’s served his notice period and joined his new club.

Florence Newton had taken on O’Driscoll’s old job on an interim basis before Iqbal’s arrival, 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.