Ivan Gazidis’ office is hot and stuffy, but Arsenal’s chief executive is feeling the heat in more ways than one.

In the six months since he took up the post, he has experienced dealing with the Takeover Panel, the intensifying power struggle between Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov, the club’s leading shareholders, and even – sacre bleu – an attack from a few minor shareholders on the much venerated manager Arsène Wenger. “The club was emotionally raw,” recalls Mr Gazidis.Most of the people in that room were supportive.”