Arsenal technical director James Ellis has left the North London club with immediate effect, according to Hand of Arsenal. The Gunners account and insider is famous for breaking some major news about Mikel Arteta’s side and happening around the Emirates Stadium club. They are followed by the likes of Dharmesh Sheth, Charles Watts, Miguel Delaney, Fabrizio Romano and Sami Mokbel on X and have proven to be a trusted source concerning all things Arsenal. Hand of Arsenal have now claimed this evening that Ellis is no longer a Gunners’ employee.
🚨 EXCL : Arsenal Technical Director James Ellis has now left Arsenal Football Club with immediate effect.
James Ellis was promoted to Technical Director last summer to support Andrea Berta with recruitment but my understanding is that he has now left the club.
— HandofArsenal (@HandofArsenal) February 20, 2026
Ellis was promoted to the role of technical director last summer to support Andrea Berta with recruitment following the departure of Jason Ayto, who was the interim sporting director before the Italian’s arrival. Ellis had been the head of recruitment prior to his appointment as technical director. The 46-year-old started at Arsenal as first-team scout after joining from Fulham in the summer of 2021. However, he was given a bigger role under previous sporting director Edu and his services were retained after the Brazilian left.
Ellis was already attracting interest from other clubs before becoming technical director and will likely be moving to a bigger role elsewhere.
Ayto joined Brighton & Hove Albion as their sporting director last September after leaving Arsenal and Ellis could be moving to a similar position in England or elsewhere.
His departure is unlikely to affect the Gunners as they prepare for the summer transfer window, and it is unknown whether they will look to recruit a replacement or promote from within.
Arsenal strengthened their squad last summer with the additions of Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.
They are expected to make further signings next summer and Berta and Arteta will be keen to add players capable of taking the Gunners to the next level.
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