Arsenal have been left reeling as it emerged Sven Mislintat, their highly-rated and recently-appointed head of recruitment, is set to leave the club, indicating the club's change in regime has hit serious problems.

Mislintat is believed to be departing north London despite being one of the most important figures behind the scenes at Arsenal, where he arrived in November 2017 amid much fanfare.

He was brought in by former chief executive Ivan Gazidis, who was reshaping the executive team at the Emirates and creating a more modern structure as he sought to usher Arsene Wenger towards the exit door.

But Gazidis’s surprise departure to AC Milan earlier this season has led to Mislintat’s influence waning as the club continues to restructure at a senior level.

Arsenal are currently looking to appoint a sporting director, with Mislintat set to be further marginalised by the creation of the new position.