Arsenal has been hit with a major blow as long-serving club doctor Gary O’Driscoll has reportedly decided to join Manchester United. O’Driscoll, who has been with Arsenal since 2009, has become a key figure behind the scenes as the head of medical services. His departure comes as a surprise to the squad and is seen as a significant loss for the club.
O’Driscoll’s role at Arsenal has been highly regarded, and he was prominently featured in Amazon Prime’s All or Nothing documentary about the club. He is often seen in new signing videos, conducting medical examinations for players. He has also been an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s staff and is considered to be part of the manager’s inner circle.
In 2020, Liverpool approached O’Driscoll to become their new head of medical department. Despite Liverpool’s status as title contenders at the time, Arteta was able to convince O’Driscoll to stay at Arsenal. However, this time around, Arteta was unable to persuade him to remain at the club.
According to The Athletic, O’Driscoll will move to Old Trafford later this summer. He has agreed to stay for a transition period to help integrate his successor, and the departure is described as amicable. This move will allow O’Driscoll to be closer to his family in the north-west.
O’Driscoll’s departure is a significant loss for Arsenal, as he has been with the club for 14 years, longer than any current first-team squad member. His presence at London Colney, Arsenal’s training ground, will be sorely missed. The news of his departure has come as a surprise to many within the squad.
Manchester United has been in search of a new head of their medical department since Steve McNally left in December 2020. It is expected that interim replacement Jim Moxon will remain part of the set-up under O’Driscoll. This appointment will strengthen United’s medical team and contribute to the overall development of the club.
In addition to O’Driscoll, Arsenal has also seen the departure of assistant coach Steve Round this summer. Round, who joined the club when Arteta first took over, 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.
Overall, Arsenal’s backroom team has undergone significant changes this summer with the departures of O’Driscoll and Round. These changes will undoubtedly have an impact on the club’s operations and dynamics. It remains to be seen how Arsenal will adapt and fill these important roles in the future.
The loss of O’Driscoll will be felt not only by Arsenal but also by the players and staff who have worked closely with him over the years. His expertise and dedication to the club will be missed. As Arsenal moves forward, they will need to find a suitable replacement who can continue O’Driscoll’s legacy and provide the same level of care and support to the team.
In conclusion, Arsenal has been dealt a significant blow with the departure of long-serving club doctor Gary O’Driscoll to Manchester United. O’Driscoll’s role as head of medical services has been highly regarded, and his departure is a surprise to many. The loss of O’Driscoll, along with other departures from the backroom team, will undoubtedly have an impact on Arsenal’s operations. The club will need to find suitable replacements who can continue to provide the same level of expertise and support to the team.