A number of changes are being made to Arsenal’s staff ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season
Arsenal are preparing to part ways with lead performance coach Sam Wilson, bringing an end to his 12-year spell at the club according to the BBC. Wilson, who joined the Gunners in 2014 and has spent the past seven years working with the first team, is expected to take up a more senior position elsewhere.
His exit forms part of a wider restructuring of Mikel Arteta’s backroom staff following Arsenal’s first Premier League title win in 22 years. Despite their success, the club endured a heavy injury load throughout the campaign, prompting a review of the medical and performance departments.
Head of sports medicine Dr. Zafar Iqbal has also departed. According to the BBC, he was informed of the decision shortly after Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, with the club now in the process of appointing his replacement.
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football.london understands that the club are set to appoint Arnaldo Abrantes as his replacement. The Portuguese specialist has previously held roles at Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. A review of the club’s injury problems had already been conducted prior to the changes at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
A review of the medical department is understood to be underway. As part of that process, Real Betis rehabilitation specialist Eneko Angulo is set to move to north London after 12 years with the Spanish club.
His arrival forms a key part of Arsenal’s overhaul of their medical setup. Upon confirming his departure from Betis, Angulo posted a farewell message on social media, reflecting the strong bond he had built with his boyhood club before making the switch to the Emirates.
“Sometimes the decisions we make in life have a high sentimental value, and in my case, today I have to announce a very carefully considered decision made a few months ago that fills me with sadness, but on the other hand, it will allow me to be close to my family and enjoy what one leaves behind when assuming positions of responsibility like mine currently,” he wrote.
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“I’m leaving my home, Real Betis Balompie, where I’ve grown both personally and professionally over 12 years in two separate spells. This is a personal, not a professional, decision; now it’s time to be close to my family.
“It’s a sad day because of everything I’m leaving behind: friends, hard work, dedication, and countless memories. Now it’s time to return to Valencia with my family and consider new projects for the future together. Thank you for everything, Real Betis Balompié and its people.”
Arsenal endured significant injury problems across the past two seasons. Jurrien Timber was unable to start the UEFA Champions League final, while Ben White missed out altogether. Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Jesus all spent extended spells on the sidelines.
Piero Hincapie, William Saliba, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori also dealt with issues throughout the campaign. It became increasingly clear that action was required.
