Vinai Venkatesham has already fulfilled his Arsenal mission after taking over from Raul Sanllehi

Vinai Venkatesham will step down from his position as Arsenal's chief executive, it has been confirmed.

In a statement via the club's official website, Venkatesham is to depart the Emirates Stadium next summer after 14 years and Co-Chair Josh Kroenke has thanked the Oxford University graduate for his service so far: «The Board is fully supportive of Vinai’s desire to pursue his next challenge,» he stated.

«Whilst it is business as usual with everyone focused on the season ahead, we’d like to take this moment to thank him for his contribution and long service. Vinai will always be part of the Arsenal family and always welcome back at Emirates Stadium. Change and succession is something the club is well prepared for. The Board remains committed to our strategy and will address leadership change as we continue to drive the club forward.»

As pointed out by Venkatesham, «now is not the time for goodbyes» as his last day is still several months away. But perhaps it's the perfect time to reflect on how Arsenal have progressed since he assumed the position as chief executive back in 2020 having spent 10 years at the club in various other roles.

When the north London outfit confirmed the departure of then-head of football Raul Sanllehi — widely credited for breaking the club's transfer record to signing Nicolas Pepe for £72million the previous summer — it was also revealed that Venkatesham would absorb the Spaniard's role.

At the time Arsenal were coming off an FA Cup trophy win which enabled them to qualify for the following season's Europa League after finishing eighth in the Premier League table — their lowest finish since 1995 — and there was plenty of work to do to get the club challenging again.

Arsenal chief executive Vinai