Mikel Arteta's turbulent relationship with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finally came to an end on deadline day, as the former Arsenal skipper joined Barcelona on a free transfer.
The Gabon international, 32, was exiled from Arteta's side after losing the captaincy at the beginning of December.
Aubameyang's hefty £350,000-a-week salary has been wiped off Arsenal's wage bill following the deal, although it does leave Arteta short of options up front.
The Gunners struggled without Aubameyang last month, scoring just once in all competitions.
Here, Mirror Football takes a look at Arteta's three forward options heading into the back end of the season... and it's not an easy read for supporters.
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Alexandre Lacazette
The Frenchman is likely to be Arteta's first-choice striker for the rest of the season, despite his contract expiring in June.
Lacazette, 30, is currently wearing the captain's armband and is the only experienced centre-forward in the squad having scored 199 club goals during his career.
Arsenal fans will be concerned about his form, however, as he's found the back of the net just three times in the Premier League this season.
Having said that, Lacazette has shown leadership since becoming the team's stand-in skipper and persuading him to stay is a must.
The cost of replacing the 16-cap international would be significant and an investment the Gunners may struggle to afford after losing Aubameyang on a free transfer.
Injury permitting, Lacazette isn't a bad option between now and the end of the season. The uncertainty surrounding his future, though, is casting a shadow of doubt over the team.
Eddie Nketiah
The Englishman is in a similar position to Lacazette. He's also out of contract in June, although Arsenal are desperate to keep the emerging striker on their books.
"I already spoke about Eddie, about how I feel about him, the intentions of the club and where we are," said Arteta in January.
"He is with us, every day he shows me and the club that he wants to stay with us and I keep having those discussions with him, but he knows that we want him at the club."
But if Arsenal want to keep Nketiah, they need to start playing him. The 22-year-old hasn't started a single Premier League game this season.
Nketiah is keen to play regularly and it's believed he's already rejected two contract offers from the Gunners, amid plenty of interest.
Crystal Palace are long term admirers of the youth international, while suitors on the continent are allowed to start negotiating a pre-contract agreement with him from today.
Nketiah's future is likely to be decided at the end of the season. If he plays, he'll stay. If he remains on the periphery, though, he'll leave.
With Aubameyang quitting the club, this could be the perfect opportunity for Nketiah to flourish. The next six months will define his Arsenal career.
False nine
There's no guarantee Arteta will play or sign a traditional centre-forward in the future.
The false nine formation is becoming increasingly common, with Arteta's mentor - Pep Guardiola - deploying it at Manchester City to great success.
Despite missing out on Harry Kane's signature last summer, City are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League and clear favourites to win a fourth title in five years.
Arteta was Guardiola's assistant for the first two of those titles and could adopt the philosophy.
Gabriel Martinelli could be the perfect candidate for this role. He's certainly got the talent and, at 20, is young enough to mould into a forward for the modern game.
Arteta doesn't have a great track record with playing a false nine, however, with Emile Smith Rowe starting Arsenal's Europa League semi-final defeat to Villarreal last April.
"Obviously when you lose you always get it wrong," said Arteta when asked about his strategy after the game.
"We were really stretched and we didn't have the right spaces with the right people.
"And then we were open, and then we didn't give ourselves the chance even to get set in the final third to do what we wanted to do because we weren't precise on the ball as well."
Arteta will be concerned about deploying a false nine again, especially with Arsenal's Champions League hopes on the line.
His team are currently sixth, two points behind Manchester United in fourth.
The reality is there's no quick fix for Arteta. Getting one of his current centre-forwards to sign a new contract has to be a priority for Arsenal's hierarchy.
