Alexis Sanchez's eyes will have lit up when Arsene Wenger finally confessed that Arsenal could be forced to sell him in January, but will the news bring the best out of the Chilean? Or will he now begin a downward spiral before ending his Emirates nightmare?
As well as Sanchez, Wenger confirmed that Mesut Ozil could also be sold in the new year. When asked if the duo, who are both now in their final year of their contracts, could leave the Emirates in January, he said: "In our situation, we have envisaged every solution. It is possible."
In Sanchez's case, this does beg the question as to why Wenger would not let him leave in the summer. Manchester City were reportedly on the verge of signing the Chilean on deadline day for £60m, but a move never came to fruition due to Wenger's reluctance to sell.
Just a month and a half later, however, the French boss is saying Sanchez will be allowed to leave in January, which will most likely be for a cut-price fee.
It's mind-boggling for the Arsenal faithful. If Wenger knew Sanchez was not going to sign a new deal, why not sell early in the summer and use the money to build a team around incoming star Alexandre Lacazette?
Anyway, that is the situation Arsenal are now in, and the real question is, will Sanchez get back to his best before eventually leaving the Emirates?
Nobody can doubt the 28-year-old's commitment and desire to win trophies, but coming off the back of boos from Gunners fans and Chile missing out on a spot at the World Cup, three months does not look like enough time to make a defining impact in Arsenal’s season. Only time will tell what kind of legacy the wantaway forward will leave in North London.
Arsenal resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to Watford on Saturday evening, which you can follow live text updates of on BeSoccer.