Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the talk of this January transfer window - but for all the wrong reasons.
The Arsenal striker has fallen out of favour under Mikel Arteta in north London, with the Gunners manager angry with Aubameyang for lacking commitment and passion.
Aubameyang had failed to meet Arteta's "non-negotiable" standards due to disciplinary breaches, prompting the Spaniard to strip the striker of the captaincy.
"The decision that we have taken as a club is very clear. It is because we believe that he has failed to be committed at the level that we all expect and agreed. It is as simple as that," Arteta explained.
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"What I expect from any person in this football club, that is representing this badge, is passion and that he gives absolutely 100 per cent, that he puts the club in front of any personal interests and is able to do anything to fulfil the badge we have on the chest.
"Apart from that, you can listen to individuals and you can understand different cultures, but that commitment and passion has to be there. Unfortunately, it wasn't."
Everything was set up for Aubemayng to leave this deadline day, and the striker got the ball in motion by taking it upon himself to jet off to Spain for talks with Barcelona.
As reported by Mirror Sport, Barcelona were not expecting Aubameyang's arrival and the Gunners were left surprised by the actions of the Gabon international forward.
As the day progressed, it became apparent that Barcelona and Arsenal couldn't come to an agreement over Aubameyang's £350,000-a-week wages and the deal broke down.
Aubameyang is now on his way back to London where he will have to face the music
One man who doesn't think there is a way back for the forward at the Emirates is former Arsenal star Paul Merson.
"I think he's gone over there for that reason and it hasn't worked out. They're just even further apart now," Merson told Sky Sports.
"I just don't know how he can [come back from this]. I just don't see it. I think the only big advantage is he might play in the under-23s and help the kids.
"If he wants to play football. It's a shame how this is ending because he was top drawer and it's sort of fizzling out a bit, it's a shame."
Aubameyang's camp insists the striker was in Barcelona on a family holiday, but regardless of the circumstances around his trip to Spain, the 32-year-old will have some explaining to do to Arteta.
The Spaniard, as aforementioned, expects total professionalism from his players at all times and this stunt looks set to ostracise the striker further at the Emirates.
