James Ellis has witnessed Mikel Arteta'sArsenalrevolution first-hand. More than that, he's been an influential figure in the club's rise.
Ellis joined the Gunners fromFulhamin 2021, and last summer was promoted to the role of technical director.
Prior to that he had been head of recruitment - playing a key role in identifying several of the squad battling to win the club's first Premier League title since 2004.
He left the club in February following a restructuring of the football leadership team.
So how does Ellis feel about the prospect of watching a parade he was due to be involved in?
He is magnanimous as he reflects on his departure, saying it doesn't rankle and insisting it hasn't diluted his ambition to return to football. And he provides an insight into the behind-the-scenes workings at the club.
Title win 'wonderful for all staff at the club'
Arsenalare top of the Premier League - six points ahead ofManchester Citybefore the two teams meet at the Etihad Stadium this weekend. On Wednesday, theyreached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The Gunners have stuttered of late but remain in a strong position. When Ellis left, they were five points clear with 11 games to go.
"Of course, it would have been nice to stay around to see what, hopefully, unfolds," Ellis told BBC Sport.
"However, it was not meant to be and I just hope for everyone - and I mean everyone - that there is a sense of happiness, contentment and joy at the end of the season.
"Of course it would be a wonderful achievement for Mikel, staff, the players their families. But also for those who have been at the club for a number of years, those who have contributed to getting to this point.
"The staff that are in the background, that no-one knows - it is for those people I will be really happy for.
"I am a lifelongArsenalsupporter, so I will just now be the fan - a supporter that looks on hopefully when success comes the club's way. The fact that I have managed to work at my boyhood club is an added bonus. "
Ellis' role in identifying signings
Ellis' contribution to the evolution of the club shouldn't be underestimated.
Entrusted by former sporting director Edu, his interim successor Jason Ayto and former club director Tim Lewis, Ellis was key in implementing the recruitment structures the club rely on today.
When he arrived in 2021, Ellis was tasked with improving what was coinedArsenal's 'football intelligence' unit in the UK, with a view to helping the club make better-informed market decisions.
Arsenal- more than ever before - are leaning on emerging technologies and data analytics to inform their market decisions; or to put it differently, help them avoid the recruitment mistakes that marked the end of Arsene Wenger's reign and Unai Emery's 18 months in charge.
Ellis has been a key driver towards the implementation of those talent-identification systems, which are used in the pre-academy, academy and across the senior programmes for the men's and women's teams.
During his time at the club, his responsibilities would grow, and he became the club's technical director in June 2025. That meant his remit extended to supporting the implementation of new-look internal structures, including the player development and pathway process.
The£34m signing of Jurrien Timberfrom Ajax in the summer of 2023 has been cited as one of 'football intelligence' unit's most prominent successes, though many would argueDeclan Rice's arrival from West Hamin the same close season has been the biggest triumph.
"In any rise, I believe it is the sum of all the parts, rather than one process or person. I was very lucky to be working with some very talented people," Ellis said.
"My role was very much in the background when I arrived in 2021 - Edu, Jason, Tim Lewis and Mikel were very much on the start of the journey to bringing success back to the club.
"We all wanted to make the place better with people at the heart of it. We were all committed to a plan over a period of time to support the growth and development of performance.
"All of the time I was at the club, we were all attempting to improve every day - that was the culture we were trying to set. "
Ellis wants to return with people-focused approach
While success across all age groups was a major part of the leadership team's priorities list, there was - inevitably - a sharper focus on first-team performance amid an understanding that succeeding at the very top of the club would facilitate prosperity lower down.
"We were very clear that the red arrow at the front was Mikel, and the first team was the one that we had to support closely," Ellis said.
"But that was also the pull that allowed us to do more. Consistent first-team performances allowed us to innovate more with the rest of the club, play risk and reward and invest in medium to long term.
"Ultimately a club is as successful as first-team performance and we all understand that. "
Edu's exit in 2024 eventually led to Andrea Berta's arrival as sporting director in April 2025.
The Italian's impact at the Emirates has earned rave reviews from supporters, withViktor Gyokeres,Eberechi EzeandNoni Maduekeamong the players signed in the summer.
Whether Berta's business eventually ends the club's wait for the title remains to be seen, but Ellis has seen the benefits of the Italian's work first-hand.
"The change from Edu to Jason to Andrea was an evolution for the club and one natural in any performance environment," he said.
"There were different approaches, but the goal was the same - to support a high-performing first team winning trophies.
"And as you can see now, they are very nearly there. All three of them are very different people, who have very different strengths, and all have made a contribution to where the club are now. "
Ellis, who confirmed his departure fromArsenalthrough a social media post earlier this month, is looking to return to the game in time for next season in a senior leadership role.
"I feel I have unfinished impact and objectives I would like to achieve," he said.
"I have been through rejection, education, coaching, scouting, senior leadership all in this and would like to carry on. "
And when he does return, Ellis insists people will be central to his ethos.
"I believe that investment in people is so important in high performance," he said.
"You undoubtedly need all of the technology, the data, the facilities you can have to support, but it's the people that are irreplaceable - connections, relationships, support, understanding, care and motivation.
"Those who you lead, those who work for you or around you, they are so important. "