Gazidis officially took up his position at the start of January following some 15 years with Major Soccer League in the United States, where he held the position of deputy commissioner since 2001.

The 44-year-old South African-born Oxford law graduate once lived a stone's throw from Highbury, and knows full well the level of expectation of a club steeped in traditions, yet which has not won the league title since 2003/04.

"There is a tremendous sense of responsibility you have in a position like this, and I do feel the weight of that," said Gazidis.

"It is not just a job. You have the hopes and expectations of not only so many people, but also history. I feel that on my shoulders.

"It is a responsibility I take very seriously."

Gazidis continued: "Living up to what this club should be and what this club is, and being able to perform this role in a way which is worthy of this club is going to be the biggest challenge I face.

"If I can walk away someday, hopefully a long time from now, and say I did not let the club down, then I will feel pretty good about myself."

In today's ruthless, success-driven environment - which just last week saw Portsmouth sack Tony Adams and Chelsea dispense with the services of World Cup winner Luiz Felipe Scolari - some suggest Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could count himself lucky not to be under more pressure to deliver, with his side currently outside the top four of the Barclays Premier League.

Although the French coach - one of the longest-serving managers in the top flight, having taken over in September 1996 before going on to oversee the most successful period in Arsenal's history - maintains he feels no "special security" in his position, Gazidis sees no reason to have anything but complete faith in Wenger.

"We reap the benefits of that (stability) because we have a manager in place who is able to think about the good of the club not just for next week or month, but also for the next year and the next five years," he said.

"We think that puts us in a tremendously good position and I think all clubs would ideally like to have that situation.

"Clearly Manchester United and Arsenal have benefited from it and other clubs where they hung with the manager through tough times have reaped the benefit."

Gazidis added: "I don't think Arsene is worried about it at all, or concerned about us wanting to move him and I don't think he is thinking about moving either.

"What he is focused on is the three competitions we are in this year and how we can be successful in those."

Gazidis, however, insisted it was understandable the level of expectation from Gunners fans remained at fever pitch.

"There is always this short-term pressure, which is right and is part of being in football - we should want to be champions every single year," he said.

"But I think this club is superbly placed (for the future).

"The fundamentals of this club are extraordinary - the stadium, its location, the young group of players we have coming through.

"So I welcome short-term pressure, that is what fans should be focused on - but I do believe the long-term picture is very, very solid."

Arsenal have a long-term commitment of around £20million each season to the servicing of their debt following the move to Emirates Stadium, which is at a fixed-rate of interest and payable over 25 years, similar to a mortgage.

While the Gunners may be on a sound financial footing, Gazidis maintains in the current uncertain economical climate, there can be no complacency.

"You have to be conscious of it," he said. "The fact we are very well positioned does not mean we are not going to be challenged in this very difficult environment.

"However, we think our challenges are going to be much more manageable than most.

"We have an incredibly solid fan base and a long waiting list for season tickets and we have got our own stadium which holds 60,000 people.

"So we are well positioned in relative terms, but it does not mean we can sail along as if nothing has changed economically because that is unrealistic."