Off-field turbulence followed Arsenal’s smooth move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, with the acrimonious departure of David Dein, the former vice-chairman, last year, and last spring’s sudden departure of Keith Edelman, the former managing director, who had an important say in financial matters. Not to mention the board’s desperate attempts to head off possible takeovers from Alisher Usmanov, a Russian billionaire, and Stan Kroenke, an American businessman.

After initially snubbing Kroenke, the board decided the best course of action was to bring him into the fold and he is now on the board. The owner of Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids, among other sports franchises, it is easy to imagine that Kroenke was a significant factor in the appointment of Ivan Gazidis as Arsenal’s new chief executive today.

Gazidis, a personable, enthusiastic, 44-year-old South African and a solicitor by trade, was a useful footballer, winning a Blue at Oxford University, and has proved an adept administrator of the game he loves. When he takes up his post in January he is likely to assume many of Dein’s former duties, such as player contracts and negotiations, so will work closely with Arsene Wenger, the manager.

Given the mediocre standard of MLS, it is debatable how much use Gazidis’ contacts will be to Arsenal, who already have a relationship with the Rapids, but his ability as a contract negotiator is undoubted. That is important considering the recent problems Arsenal have endured, with the futures of Emmanuel Adebayor and Alexander Hleb becoming long-drawn-out sagas last summer, and the need for Arsenal to remain among Europe’s elite even though other clubs offer bigger salaries.

Gazidis has won a solid reputation within the game during his 14 years with the league, having joined it from its foundation and helped build it up, assuming growing influence across all areas of responsibility. He is presently deputy commissioner. Since all MLS player contracts are handled centrally, Gazidis was a significant figure in bringing David Beckham to America.

The appointment concludes a lengthy and awkward process. Gazidis was not Arsenal’s first choice: Peter Lawwell decided to stay at Celtic and Adam Crozier, the former FA chief executive, also turned them down. Since Gazidis reportedly turned down a seven-figure offer from Manchester City to be their new chief executive, persuading him to uproot his family from Connecticut will not have been cheap. Given the obvious need for Arsenal to recruit wisely in the January transfer window, if they are to challenge for honours this season, he will be required to hit the ground running.