Vinai Venkatesham, the Arsenal chief executive, has announced he will leave the club next summer after 14 years at the Emirates Stadium.
Venkatesham has worked in a variety of senior positions at Arsenal and was appointed chief executive in September 2020, following a time of huge change at executive level.
He played a major role in helping Arsenal to navigate the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and, alongside sporting director Edu, has overseen the rebuild of the first-team squad following the appointment of Mikel Arteta as manager.
Venkatesham was made managing director of Arsenal following the departure of chief executive Ivan Gazidis in 2018. He then worked alongside Raul Sanllehi, the club’s then-head of football, before Sanllehi’s sudden departure in August 2020.
“This was a tough decision, but it is time to pursue another challenge,” Venkatesham said. “Now is not the time for goodbyes as I remain focused until my last day and supporting a seamless transition.”
Josh Kroenke, the club’s co-chairman, said it would be “business as usual” for the season ahead and added that Arsenal were “well prepared” for the forthcoming changes.
Venkatesham first joined Arsenal in 2010, as the club’s head of global partnerships. He was promoted to sales and marketing director and chief commercial officer before his rise through the ranks was accelerated by the departure of Gazidis.
Venkatesham’s departure not irrelevant but Arsenal fans should not worry
Venkatesham has been one of the key figures in the reconstruction of Arsenal as a serious force under Arteta. A former oil trader and Deloitte consultant, Venkatesham has been the leader of the business side of the club since the departure of Gazidis.
It would therefore be reasonable for Arsenal supporters to worry about what might come next and how this news might affect the side’s fortunes on the pitch.
When it comes to the team’s performances, though, there should be no cause for significant concern. While Venkatesham is undoubtedly a hugely important presence behind the scenes – and often the face of the club at significant moments and meetings – he has not been the primary architect of the footballing revolution that has taken place under Arteta’s management.
In terms of strategy, tactics and squad evolution, it is Arteta and Edu who lead the way for Arsenal. Edu is supported by his recruitment team and by Richard Garlick, Arsenal’s director of football operations, while Arteta obviously has a decisive say on which players come and go.
Venkatesham’s area of expertise is on the business side of the club and it should be noted that Tim Lewis, who joined the board in 2020, has become an increasingly important figure behind the scenes. In March this year, Lewis became Arsenal’s executive vice-chairman.
It is Lewis who primarily deals with the club’s Kroenke owners. As disclosed by Telegraph Sport this year, for example, decisions over Arsenal’s bids for Declan Rice were only signed off by the Kroenkes after Lewis had taken them the recommendation. That recommendation followed discussions with Edu and Arteta.
This is not to say that Venkatesham’s departure is irrelevant. Far from it. Venkatesham sits on the board of the European Club Association and is a popular figure with staff at the club. He has also been an important advocate for the women’s game.
He regularly engages with the club’s fans and has built a strong relationship with key supporter groups. Internally, he is regarded as someone who has played a fundamental role in the increased sense of unity at Arsenal – within the business and the fan base – and there is no doubt that he will be missed.
In a statement, the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust said: “AST is sad to hear that Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham will leave the club. He was genuinely committed to fan engagement and improved relations considerably when taking over. He was always available and would be direct and honest in discussions.
“Vinai also rebuilt a younger, more diverse and dynamic executive team at Arsenal that is making a difference. We wish him well in his future endeavours.”
