Arsenal’s return to pre-season training has effectively confirmed the addition of Eneko Angulo and Arnaldo Abrantes to the club’s medical and fitness staff, with both in attendance this week.
Arsenal have been linked with plenty of changes in the medical and fitness teams this summer, and a couple of those have been confirmed this week.
Arnaldo Abrantes has joined from Aston Villa to replace Dr Zafar Iqbal as Arsenal’s head of medicine and performance, whilst Eneko Angulo has left Real Betis to become the Gunners’ new head of rehabilitation.
In photos of training at London Colney from this week, Abrantes is clearly visible next to Mikel Arteta in the image above, whilst Angulo can be seen in the background on the left of the image below.
If any further confirmation was required, Angulo has updated his Instagram bio to read “lead rehab coach at Arsenal” and Abrantes has updated his LinkedIn page to confirm he’s now working for the Gunners.
Abrantes has reportedly been joined at Arsenal by a couple of other fitness coaches who were previously working for Aston Villa as well.
Arsenal have seen a few key staff members leave this summer, with club doctor Zafar Iqbal’s departure just one of those. Head of sports science and performance Tom Allen is also leaving the club, as well as fitness coach Sam Wilson.
The departures coincide with an internal Arsenal review of their medical term by Joaquin Acedo, with the BBC reporting that Acedo’s influence on the summer changes has been significant.
Not everyone departing has been forced out, with previous reports suggesting Wilson had the option to stay but chose to leave for a more senior role.
Regardless of whether they jumped or were pushed, the number of people departing meant it was inevitable some additions would be made.
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