Zafar Iqbal has left Arsenal after a meeting with club chiefs, ending his spell as head of sports medicine and performance. The 51-year-old joined in February 2024 after previous work with Liverpool and Tottenham.
The departure comes as the club reviews its medical operations. Physiotherapist Joaquin Acedo has already arrived, although it remains unclear whether that appointment is directly connected to Iqbal’s exit.
The scale of the concern is evident in the number of senior players carrying issues into the summer:
Reports suggest Arsenal will wait until after the World Cup before deciding whether Saliba requires surgery. For Mikel Arteta, the priority is turning improved availability into a platform for another title challenge.
The fitness review will influence the transfer window, but Arsenal are also being linked with attacking reinforcements. Morgan Gibbs-White and Morgan Rogers have emerged as reported targets, while Marcus Rashford is attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona as well as Arsenal.
Rashford’s wages are understood to be a major obstacle, making any move complicated even if the sporting fit appeals.
Former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has been dismissed by Feyenoord after securing Champions League qualification and finishing second in the Eredivisie during his first full season in charge.
Meanwhile, Declan Rice has been named England vice-captain for the World Cup, adding another leadership storyline around Arteta’s squad.
The next transfer window will reveal whether Arsenal’s response is medical, tactical or both - and whether Odegaard, Timber and Saliba can return at full strength.