Arsenal have taken a major step to reduce their injury problems by appointing a new fitness guru, Goal can reveal.
Shad Forsythe, who is head fitness coach for the Germany national team, has reached an agreement to join Arsene Wenger’s backroom team after the World Cup.
The 40-year-old American will work alongside Tony Colbert, Arsenal’s first-team fitness coach for the last 16 years, as Wenger addresses the injury issues which have consistently held back his team at critical times of the season in recent years.
Wenger vowed to review the Gunners’ training and medical procedures following serious injuries suffered by key players in the second half of the recent domestic campaign, including Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere.
According to a study by physioroom.com, Arsenal players were unavailable for more days last season due to injury than at any other Premier League club.
Gunners chiefs hope Forsythe’s appointment will modernise their injury prevention methods at their London Colney headquarters.
Forsythe was recruited by Germany in 2004 by former manager Jurgen Klinsmann and has spent the last 10 years overseeing the national team’s fitness preparation. He will link up permanently with the Gunners after the World Cup in Brazil.
His appointment is especially noteworthy as Wenger, who recently signed a new three-year contract, very rarely makes changes to his backroom staff.
Source: Goal