Laurent Koscielny's Arsenal future as well as captaincy is in serious doubt.
The ex-France international refused to travel on the club's pre-season tour to the United States as he seeks to force a summer exit following nine years in north London.
Things could get messy as Koscielny wants his contract terminated in order to facilitate a move back home amid interest from Rennes, Lyon and Bordeaux.
Although, the Daily Mirror have reported that he's taking legal advice over claims his wages will be cut in half as the Gunners prepare to open disciplinary proceedings against the 33-year-old.
It remains to be seen if Koscielny is still an Arsenal player come the end of August, but what looks for certain is that head coach Unai Emery will be appointing a new captain ahead of the new season.
When discussing the options at his disposal, the Spaniard appeared to have dropped a major hint about Koscielny's future.
"We lost some players with big experience and a long time in England and Arsenal like Cech and Ramsey," Emery said when asked directly by football.london as to whether Rob Holding was under consideration to join Granit Xhaka, Mesut Ozil and Nacho Monreal as a captain. "We lost Koscielny too.
"They started one day being captain when they were young. We have young players with experience, players starting for the first time to be considered as captains.
"If we decide on a player they have the capacity and deserve to have the opportunity to be captain."
Emery's comment about "losing Koscielny too" is rather interesting.
Was it a slip of the tongue or has the Gunners head coach revealed that a decision has been made in that the Frenchman will be stripped of the captaincy regardless of whether he leaves or not?
It does mark a change of pace from Emery as earlier in the week he refused to confirm whether Koscielny had a future at the club.
"He has one year left on his contract," Emery said. "For me as a coach he's an important player. Now it's one matter for him and the club. The club and him need to speak, they are speaking about his situation. I cannot say more than that.
"I spoke with him before he came here and he decided to stay there.
"We spoke with a good spirit for both the team and him but this is his decision, only his decision.
"He's speaking only with the club.
"Really I cannot say more about that. For me now it's clear we need to keep moving ahead."
