Arsenal are set to lose their chief executive next summer after three years in the role
(Image credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Arsenal are set to lose a key director next summer, as the Emirates Stadium hierarchy reshuffles.
Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham is set to leave the Gunners after 13 years at the club. He has been in his current role for three years and played a huge role in bringing Mikel Arteta to north London.
The club is owned by Kroenke Sports Entertainment, with father-son duo Stan and Josh Kroenke running the club. Venkatesham stepped up into a more senior role at Arsenal following the departure of Ivan Gazidis, with former Barcelona chief, Raul Sanlehhi, assisting on the football side of things.
Vinai Venkatesham (L) with Raul Sanlehhi (Image credit: PA)
Sanlehhi left in 2020 and was replaced by former Invincible, Edu Gaspar.
“This was a tough decision, but it is time to pursue another challenge,” Venkatesham told Arsenal.com. “Now is not the time for goodbyes as I remain focused until my last day and supporting a seamless transition.”
“The board is fully supportive of Vinai’s desire to pursue his next challenge, Josh Kroenke commented. “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.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is losing a colleague who has been key to bringing him to north London (Image credit: Getty Images)
Immediately before his last promotion in north London, Venkatesham was chief commercial officer at Arsenal. He worked on London 2012 prior to joining Arsenal, and is also currently a non-executive director of the British Olympic Association.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Arsenal play Everton in the Premier League this weekend.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
