Arsenal are now giving serious consideration to the potential loss of chief executive Ivan Gazidis to AC Milan but remain confident they would have the time and personnel to make a seamless transition.

Gazidis has formally informed the Arsenal board of an offer from the seven-times European Champions and, although a definite decision has not yet been made or confirmed, the departure of the club’s most influential executive has become a very real possibility.

Having overseen a comprehensive restructure of the club over recent years, most notably with the departure of manager Arsène Wenger, there is a sense inside Arsenal that Gazidis may now feel that the time is right for a different challenge.

There have been reports in Italy that Gazidis could even start in a new executive director’s role as early as next month, but it is understood that his potential notice period at Arsenal would rule out that sort of timescale and there is confidence that he would not push to leave suddenly and risk a damaging void.

Arsenal also feel confident that their off-field set-up - thanks largely to the revolution that Gazidis has overseen - is well equipped to deal with and adapt to his potential departure.