Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's Arsenal career looks set to end in an underwhelming manner.
The striker had the potential to make himself a club legend upon his arrival, but a late return from a trip to France left him stripped of the captaincy and training alone.
Many considered it a harsh move from Arteta, but the Spaniard has emphasised in the time since how highly he values discipline and character in his squad.
It is a factor that is almost certain to be of high importance when signing new players under in the coming windows and the fact Arsenal have arguably improved since Aubameyang's ousting has only vindicated the decision.
"I got them all together and I told them what the club and what the people that support our club expect from us," Arteta told BT Sport ahead of their New Year's Day clash with Manchester City.
"The image that I show is a tree, a tree with roots. We have to look after those roots every single day. If we don't do that, it won't be sustainable over time and that's our responsibility.
"It's not about what I say, it's about a commitment that everybody has to make if they want to be part of that, because if not, it's impossible to live together in a good environment where we can enjoy our profession and this club when everybody is doing what they want."
The decision, leading to Aubameyang's seemingly inevitable departure, does leave Arsenal on the hunt for a new striker.
Prior to the January transfer window, one name the Gunners were tipped to sign was Brentford marksman Ivan Toney.
Toney shot to prominence with Peterborough before signing to Thomas Frank's side, firing them into the Premier League via the Championship play-offs with a record-breaking campaign.
He was a 10/1 tip to be signed by Arsenal in the months leading up to a the January transfer window, but a video of the striker on holiday that emerged on Friday, in which the player was filmed saying 'F*** Brentford' in Dubai, may scupper those chances.
Toney took to social media to apologies for his actions, writing: "I am aware of a video of me that was published on social media today, taken in Dubai where I have been on holiday during the winter break. In it, I used language that was unacceptable.
"The video was cut short and edited, but I have to accept the impact this has had and I realise I should not have put myself in this position.
"I have explained to the gaffer what happened and apologised to him but I also want to apologise to all Brentford fans. I respect the way you all support the team and I have to say how much I love playing for the club and for you."
But given Arteta's stance on Aubameyang, the clip alone could prove enough to put the Arsenal boss off any future move for the player.
