Who are the Arsenal medical team? Meet the doctors and physios helping players on the pitch

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While Arsenal are looking to win trophies on the pitch, plenty of work goes on behind the scenes to ensure the players can play at their best.

Whether it’s the catering staff, the player liaisons or the coaching staff, London Colney is bustling full of people trying to keep the team moving forward.

There is also the Arsenal medical department, which looks to keep the squad fit and healthy for every match of the campaign.

While the doctors look to keep the players healthy, the physios and sports scientists do their utmost to firstly prevent injuries and secondly help players recover from them if they do pick up a knock.

With that said, here’s a look at the medical team behind the day-to-day running at Arsenal.

Who is the head of the Arsenal medical department?

Zafar Iqbal

Arsenal appointed Zafar Iqbal as the head of the medical department in February 2024, replacing Gary O’Driscoll who joined Manchester United.

He had previously worked at Leyton Orient and Tottenham as the club doctor, before spells at Liverpool and Crystal Palace, heading up their departments.

Who is the Arsenal club doctor?

Florence Newton

Florence Newton is the Arsenal club doctor, having been in the position since 2020.

Newton was previously part of the Arsenal academy setup, spending five years there from 2015-2020 before taking the job with the senior side.

Who are the Arsenal physios?

Simon Murphy

Joining Arsenal in the summer of 2021, Simon Murphy is the current medical director of physiotherapy.

He has had spells with Derby County, Mansfield and Leicester, before joining the Gunners – moving from physiotherapist to the director in 2024.

Will Storey

Another in the physio ranks is Will Storey, who joined Arsenal in 2017 – having previously worked with West Ham and Anzhi.

Ricky O’Donoghue

Ricky O’Donoghue joined Arsenal in 2022 from Crystal Palace, previously working as a physio and a sports scientist.

Elliott Clarke

Elliott Clarke is another in the Arsenal physiotherapy ranks, joining the club back in 2023.

Takahiro Yamamoto

Taking up the role of a sports therapist, Takahiro Yamamoto is part of the team at Arsenal.

He has previously featured at AS Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton, Blackburn and West Ham.

Arsenal nutritionist

Tom Geeson-Brown

Nutrition is a key part of the players’ routine in being able to play at the top level, with Tom Geeson-Brown in charge of that area.

Geeson-Brown joined Arsenal in 2022 after moving from Norwich City.

Arsenal sports scientist

Tom Allen

The sports science ranks are growing across football with teams paying attention to how workload and injury issues can impact performances.

Arsenal hired Tom Allen to take the role in 2017, making the switch from Aston Villa to keep an eye on everything in the department.