Arsenal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ended their relationship after four years on deadline day.
The forward headed to Barcelona on a free after it had become apparent there was little way back for him under Mikel Arteta.
Aubameyang only signed a new deal 18 months ago but has been unable to replicate the kind of form he showed prior to signing that contract. A disciplinary breach in December proved to be the final straw.
But while his departure strengthens Arteta's authority, it seemingly goes against the club's transfer strategy that technical director Edu was so vocal about in the summer.
Arsenal's recruitment drive centred around adding young players with the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White and Nuno Tavares all coming in.
Have Your Say! Should Arsenal have kept hold of Aubameyang? Tell us here.
A poor start to the season saw those decisions questioned, with an apparent lack of leaders during a time when resilience and experience was needed.
Edu though was adamant that they had made the right moves, citing the presence of several pillars in the first team.
He told Sky Sports : "I don't want to be repetitive, but it is true. How are you going to create a solid foundation? And then you say okay, but they are young.
"They are young but we have five senior players in the squad and in the first XI in Bernd Leno, Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
"Around those five we have very, very good, talented players around them which we believe in. Maybe people don't, but we believe five guys can lead the team with the youngsters and with the new signings to go to the next step.
"And probably, next summer, we are going to sit here again and then you are going to say to me you are just signing one or two or two or three players."
He also added: "I don't want to be here and try to lie. What's Arsenal's reality at the moment? We need to create a solid foundation.
"I don't want to see the squad in one season. I'd like to see Arsenal strong in one, two, three, four and five seasons. That needs strategy."
That method already looks to be flawed.
Of the five players Edu mentioned, two have already been ruthlessly cast aside.
Before Aubameyang's exit, Bernd Leno was overlooked for selection with Ramsdale coming in - a call that has remained.
Leno went public with his frustrations and looks set to leave in the summer after Arsenal signed a new goalkeeper from the MLS.
Couple with that Lacazette's contract situation. The former Lyon forward will be free to leave in a matter of months and they have not yet come to the negotiation table. It could leave Arsenal seriously lacking in the senior pros that the Brazilian spoke of being so important.
Whilst their academy products continue to thrive, their exploits do need to be complimented by experienced heads at times.
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have shouldered a huge load this term and Gabriel Martinelli may soon be asked to do likewise with the club's forward ranks in danger of a mass exodus.
Indeed, Aubameyang's departure has also ended Edu's ambitions for Arsenal's attacking line. He said previously: "If you go up front we have Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli. I want to see them playing together."
Quite how he wanted the all to be fit in is another matter.
Amid the apparent change in strategy Edu had stated in the summer that Arteta and his staff were on board with the club's plan when it came to assembling a squad they felt could again make them challengers.
He claimed: "They already know 100 per cent what we are doing because we report to them what the plan is and how we are going to operate the plan and how we are going to be this season."
Arsenal remain in the hunt for the top four but their failure to bring in any major new faces in January could prove costly.
