Arsenal have parted ways with head doctor Zafar Iqbal following a season disrupted by significant injuries, with the sacking confirmed just weeks after their Champions League final defeat.

The Gunners came agonisingly close to a Premier League and Champions League double, but the club are now navigating a period of considerable change behind the scenes.

According to The Telegraph, the 51-year-old Iqbal was summoned to a meeting on June 1 and was told his role had ended with immediate effect following that painful European loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

Just one month prior to his dismissal, it had been reported that manager Mikel Arteta had sought the assistance of Spanish physio Joaquín Acedo to support the club’s injury management.

It remains unclear whether Arteta’s use of Acedo during that period directly informed the decision to end Iqbal’s time at the club.

In a poignant twist, Iqbal had been seen celebrating with players on the pitch when Arsenal were handed the Premier League trophy at Selhurst Park, only to be relieved of his duties weeks later.

Arsenal are also set to lose Under-21s head coach Max Porter, who has additionally contributed to the first-team setup during his time in north London.

Porter joined Arsenal in July 2017 as an Under-9s coach and progressed through roles with the Under-13s, Under-17s and Under-19s before becoming Under-21s assistant coach in July 2022.

He was appointed Under-21s manager last summer after Mehmet Ali departed to join Brentford as assistant first-team coach under Keith Andrews.

Porter is now set to join Championship club Stoke City after nine years in north London, arriving as part of Mark Robins’ backroom staff in a similar capacity to his role at Arsenal.

He will fill the vacancy left by Paul Nevin, who departed as assistant manager back in February, and brings with him a wealth of experience from his time at one of England’s top clubs.

Stoke endured a difficult Championship campaign last season, finishing in 17th place after a promising start that had them inside the play-off positions as late as matchday 19.

A 4-0 defeat to Sheffield United proved to be the turning point, triggering a dramatic collapse in form that ultimately ended any realistic hopes of promotion.

Robins has been retained as manager and the club’s decision to bring in Porter has been viewed as a firm show of faith in the ex-Coventry City boss as he looks to rebuild.

Arsenal have yet to confirm who will succeed Porter within their academy structure, leaving a notable gap in their youth development setup heading into the summer.

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