Arsenal has been hit with a major blow as long-serving club doctor Gary O’Driscoll has decided to leave the club and join Manchester United. O’Driscoll, who has been with Arsenal since 2009, is highly regarded and has played a crucial role as the head of medical services. His departure comes as a surprise to many, as he has been an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s staff and is considered a key figure behind-the-scenes.
O’Driscoll’s importance to Arsenal is evident in his appearances in Amazon Prime’s All or Nothing documentary about the club, as well as his involvement in new signing videos where he conducts players’ medical examinations. He has also been a trusted member of Arteta’s inner circle and was convinced to stay at Arsenal when Liverpool approached him in 2020.
However, this time around, Arteta was unable to persuade O’Driscoll to remain at the club. According to The Athletic, O’Driscoll will be joining Manchester United later this summer. He has agreed to stay for a transitional period to help integrate his successor, and the parting of ways is said to be amicable.
The departure of O’Driscoll is a significant blow to Arsenal, as he is highly regarded by both the players and the staff. He has been at the club for 14 years, longer than any of the current first-team squad, and his presence will be sorely missed. His popularity among the players and his expertise in medical services make him an invaluable asset.
O’Driscoll’s decision to leave Arsenal was influenced by an approach from Manchester United, which allows him to be closer to his family in the north-west. United had been searching for a new head of their medical department since Steve McNally left in December 2020. It is expected that interim replacement Jim Moxon will continue to be part of the set-up under O’Driscoll.
In addition to O’Driscoll’s departure, Arsenal has also seen assistant coach Steve Round leave the club. Round, who joined when Arteta took over as manager, played an integral role in the team. His departure has led to speculation that he may join his former boss David Moyes at West Ham.
These departures from the Arsenal backroom team highlight the changes happening within the club. As Arsenal looks to rebuild and improve their performance on the pitch, maintaining a strong and cohesive support staff is crucial. The loss of O’Driscoll and Round will undoubtedly be felt, but it also presents an opportunity for new faces to step up and make their mark.
Arsenal will now have to find suitable replacements for O’Driscoll and Round to ensure the smooth running of their medical and coaching departments. These appointments will be crucial in supporting Arteta and the players as they strive for success in the upcoming season.
Overall, O’Driscoll’s departure from Arsenal is a significant loss for the club. His expertise, popularity, and long-standing presence will be sorely missed. However, it also presents an opportunity for Arsenal to bring in fresh talent and build a strong support team that can contribute to the club’s future success.