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🚨 EXCL: Arsenal doctor Gary O’Driscoll moving to Manchester United. Expected to remain in current role for transition period before completing switch later this summer. Highly-regarded medic a significant coup for #MUFC after 14+yrs at #AFC @TheAthleticFC
https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1677257786516819969?t=Gw40MbYzq4jZIPhoxUg4Pg&s=19
@sabreW4K3 @I_am_the_grass THis is actually bad news, he was very good and very well respected.
I know he's well respected, as was our previous doctor, but it's clearly an area where we can improve.
Because I'm lazy, here's what Bard had to say:
Arsenal have had a long-standing reputation for being one of the most injury-prone teams in the Premier League. In recent years, they have consistently ranked at or near the top of the league in terms of the number of days their players have missed through injury.
For example, in the 2021-22 season, Arsenal had the fifth-most days lost to injury in the Premier League, with 79 days. This was more than Manchester United (78 days), Tottenham (74 days), and Chelsea (63 days). Only Liverpool (162 days), Manchester City (124 days), and Newcastle United (122 days) had more days lost to injury.
This trend has been consistent over the past decade. In the 10 seasons from 2012-13 to 2021-22, Arsenal have had the most days lost to injury in the Premier League on four occasions. They have also finished in the top three in this category on six occasions.
There are a number of possible reasons for Arsenal's high injury record. One possibility is that they have a relatively young squad, which means that their players are more susceptible to injuries. Another possibility is that they play a high-tempo style of football, which puts more strain on their players' bodies. Additionally, Arsenal have had a number of high-profile injuries in recent years, such as the ACL injuries suffered by Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck.
Whatever the reason, Arsenal's high injury record has been a major factor in their inability to challenge for the Premier League title in recent years. If they are to break their trophy drought and return to the top of English football, they will need to find a way to reduce the number of injuries their players suffer.
Here is a table comparing the injury records of Arsenal and the other top 6 Premier League teams in the 2021-22 season:
As you can see, Arsenal had the fifth-most days lost to injury in the Premier League in the 2021-22 season. This was more than Manchester United, Tottenham, and Chelsea. Only Liverpool, Manchester City, and Newcastle United had more days lost to injury.
That's not necessarily the fault of the medical team, it could be partially attributable to our play style and the types of players we recruit. As well as the 'arsenal don't like it up' em' style tackling we historically received from Stoke etc.
Oh, I'm not laying the blame at his door, just hoping that he's leaving because we're upgrading. Let me grasp at straws! 🥺