Arsenal's board are preparing to lose chief exec Ivan Gazidis to AC Milan.

The Irish Independent says Arsenal, however, remain confident they would have the time and personnel to make a seamless transition.

Gazidis has formally informed Arsenal's board of an offer from the seven-times European champions and, although a definite decision has not 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 in recent years, most notably with the departure of long-serving manager Arsene Wenger, there is a sense inside Arsenal that Gazidis may now feel that the time is right for a different challenge.

Arsenal 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.