Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Arsenal future remains hanging by a thread, as the former captain continues to be ostracised.
Just over a year ago, the striker was all smiles as he ended speculation over his future by signing a three-year deal with the club.
Just one month before Aubameyang put pen-to-paper on his own contract, Willian signed up until the same point.
Now there is a genuine chance that by the time February 2022 rolls around, both of those players will no longer be at the club.
Mikel Arteta has refused to disclose when he will be available for selection again, having been stripped of the captaincy for what the Gunners described as a disciplinary breach.
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In his absence, Arsenal have racked up three wins, with Arteta’s side finally displaying the attacking verve that has been so lacking up until this point of the season.
It remains to be seen whether Aubameyang will be allowed to move on, but there have been several teams touted as potential escape routes.
Of course, with still so long remaining on his existing deal it will make any transfer difficult, but Willian has proven Arteta isn’t afraid to take an early and decisive step on disgruntled stars.
The decision to sign the former Chelsea star to such a long deal was one which instantly frustrated fans, with hindsight only proving it even worse.
Willian lasted less than 12 months in north London, with the Brazilian so unhappy he ripped up his own contract costing him more than £20million in the process.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand's Vibe with Five podcast, Willian revealed that things started well, with his focus firmly on performing as well as possible for the Gunners.
"I was not happy, that’s why I didn’t perform. I don’t want to go into the details, but I wasn’t happy," the 33-year-old explained.
"So, when I arrived there I was happy, from the beginning I was motivated, I wanted to do well, new club, new mates, new projects."
However, things went south quickly: "After three months, I told my agent 'please, I want to go.'"
"I don’t want to speak bad about the club because it is a big club, has a big history in football, big players played there before it’s a big club.
"But it didn’t work, it was of course the most difficult time of my career."
Technical director Edu has previously admitted that after discovering he was no longer comfortable at the club, both he and Arteta knew he had to go.
He said: "In the end of the season, me and Mikel say ‘how are you? Because we need you much more consistent, what’s happening?’ and he said he was not 100 per cent comfortable.
"When I listened to that and when Mikel listened to that we made the decision to say ‘Okay, we don’t want a player here that is not 100 per cent comfortable, not 100 per cent with the team, it is my business to try and find the best solution.”
Aubameyang is yet to make such a declaration, publicly at least, but there is a definite precedent that if he does, he could be on his way…sooner rather than later.
