Arsenal new chiefs Raul Sanllehi and Vinai Venkatesham issue rallying cry

Arsenal's new power-brokers issued a rallying cry to players and staff on Tuesday following chief executive Ivan Gazidis' departure.

Gazidis - as revealed by Sportsmail last month - is leaving to take up a similar role at AC Milan, news that was confirmed by the club this morning.

Raul Sanllehi, who arrived from Barcelona last season, and Vinai Venkatesham will effectively replace Gazidis - who has earned £20.9million since arriving at Arsenal in 2009 -at the helm.

Sanllehi, who has one of the most extensive contacts books in world football, will take up the role as head of football and Venkatesham, currently chief commercial officer, becomes managing director.

And the pair got straight down to business by going to the club's training HQ in London Colney to address head coach Unai Emery and his players and staff.

Sanllehi and Venkatesham are understood to have told employees that despite Gazidis' exit, the hard work in trying to build a team in Emery's mould following Arsene Wenger's departure continues as normal - that the club strategy and ethos remains the same.

Gazidis played a key role in appointing Emery over the summer, but Sanllehi and Venkatesham have made it abundantly clear that the Spaniard retains the board's full support.

Sanllehi and Venkatesham also addressed employees based at the Emirates Stadium to convey a similar message.

Sportsmail can also reveal that Sanllehi cancelled a number of prior engagements on Tuesday to ensure he could speak directly to staff - a clear indication of how important he felt Tuesday was.

The new Arsenal supremos will now face supporters at the planned fans forum on Sunday before the Everton game.

Gazidis will also appear alongside Sanllehi and Venkatesham.