Arsenal AGM: Have you heard the one from Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis about Gareth Bale, Real Madrid and north London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur?

Lightening the mood at the AGM with Bale quip

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis made a joke at north London neighbours Tottenham's expense (GETTY IMAGES)

Speaking at the Arsenal AGM, the club’s chief executive Ivan Gazidis could not resist making a joke at north London neighbours Tottenham’s expense.

Spurs sold winger Gareth Bale for a world record £86m to Real Madrid over the summer, prompting Gazidis to deliver a side-splitter at the meeting.

After referring to Bale’s famous Times Square billboard in New York, Gazidis quipped: “Unfortunately he doesn't play for Tottenham Hotspur. He now plays for one of our rivals.”

Beginning the rip-roaring theme, the Arsenal chairman, Sir Chips Keswick, 73, responded to a question on the controversial 2022 Qatar World Cup by saying: “I probably won't even be alive.”