Arsenal have reportedly convinced Shad Forsythe to remain at the club amid claims he was set to join AC Milan but have sacked Darren Burgess.

The Head of Performance at Arsenal was pictured at the Milan club amid claims that Ivan Gazidis wanted him to join him in Italy.

The news came as it was revealed that Arsenal are to part ways with Darren Burgess in moves that are not at all unconnected.

Burgess was reportedly told he was being sacked after Arsenal’s humiliation in the Europa League final in Baku but neither club nor coach are prepared to comment until his departure is settled (ie they agree how much to pay him to go away).

Since Burgess’ arrival after being ‘hand-picked’ by Wenger, he instigated a bit of a cull behind the scenes. Colin Lewin was let go after 23 years, much to the annoyance of many at the club, while physios Ben Ashworth, who had joined in 2012, Andrew Rolls (2013) and James Haycock (2015) also left.

Mikhail Zhilkin and Susana Ferreras were both brought in to help with data analysis while nutritionist Richard Allison and lead sports scientist Tom Allen were both brought before Burgess’ arrival from Australia.

All these changes have reportedly led to increased tensions behind the scenes and Shad Forsythe was offered the role of Director of Performance at Milan.

It has been claimed that Arsenal convinced him to stay and offered him a ‘beefed-up role’ following Burgess’ departure.

Arsenal have also sacked a senior team masseuse while their Head of the u9s was moved to a new role and was recently found guilty of verbally abusing a teenage girl, earning him a three-game ban and £400 fine.