Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal career appears to be in jeopardy just 12 months after signing a lucrative new deal.
The German midfielder was completely left out of the squad in the 1-0 defeat to West Ham United by boss Unai Emery.
Although the Gunners looked devoid of ideas at times at the London Stadium, Emery seems to have lost patience with a player who seems to have reached his peak.
Talented and erratic in equal measure, the 30-year-old’s inconsistency has continued to divide and infuriate fans.
With his contract running out last January (and with Alexis Sanchez en route to Old Trafford) the Arsenal board baulked to the playmaker’s demands and rewarded him with a whopping £350,000-a-week deal.
But just 12 months later it appears as though his place in the team is no longer guaranteed and a move away from the Emirates in the summer would suit all parties.
But just who could Arsenal replace him with in six months time?
Scroll down to see eight potential Ozil replacements for Arsenal and how they could feature in north London.
James Rodriguez – Real Madrid (On loan at Bayern Munich)
The Colombia superstar has seen his game time in Bavaria drop massively since the departure of Carlo Ancelotti last season.
Under Jupp Heyneckes, James featured and helped Bayern win another Bundesliga title but it has been a different story under Niko Kovac this campaign.
His two-year loan deal at the Allianz Arena will be coming to an end this summer and, with no guarantees he will play on his retun to the Bernabue, a move to the Premier League could happen.
How would he fit in?
Kai Havertz – Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen have a long tradition of producing technically gifted midfielders; Toni Kroos, Michael Ballack and Bernd Schuster all made their name donning the black and red strip.
Havertz is the latest midfielder to graduate from the Die Werkself academy and is seriously making a name for himself.
Blessed with a fantastic football brain, incredible skills and great physical prowess, the 19-year-old seems perfectly suited for the English top-flight.
How would he fit in?
Isco – Real Madrid
The struggles of Isco at Real Madrid since his move in 2013 are enough to confound even the most ardent Barcelona fan.
Perhaps the most naturally gifted playmaker of his generation, the Spain international has never managed to nail down a starting role at the Bernabeu long enough to showcase his ability.
With Santiago Solari preferring to use players in midfield willing to run themselves into the ground, the 26-year-old’s career appears to be over in Madrid.
How would he fit in?
Denis Suarez – Barcelona
One of the main stories from the current January transfer window is the proposed move of Suarez to Arsenal.
Having fallen out of favour at the Camp Nou and with Emery keen on a reunion, a move to the Emirates seems likely.
However, with talks seemingly stalling, a summer transfer looks increasingly likely.
How would he fit in?
Nabil Fekir – Olympique Lyonnais
After months of pursuing the World Cup winner, Liverpool and Chelsea admitted defeat in the summer and signed other targets.
However, Fekir may well be back on the market this summer.
After being left out of the French Cup squad at the turn of the year, speculation about a move began to intensify. He will have just a year left on his contract in the summer so expect bids to fly in.
How would he fit in?
Yannick Carrasco – Dalian Yifang
Carrasco’s move to the Chinese Super League has worked out rather nicely for him.
The former Atletico Madrid forward is destroying defenders for fun and is still linked with a return to a top European league.
Although Manchester United are reportedly interested, Unai Emery could well tempt the 25-year-old to come to Arsenal with regular game time.
How would he fit in?
Cristian Pavon – Boca Juniors
Last January, the Gunners were continuously linked with a move for the wide forward after his impressive displays for Boca.
Having made his Argentina debut and played at the World Cup in the space of just seven months, it’s fair to say the 22-year-old’s rise has been meteoric.
Gunners fans would have to be patient for him to settle, but a move could unlock his undoubted potential.
How would he fit in?
Leon Bailey – Bayer Leverkusen
Another Bundesliga wonderkid for the list, Bailey came to the attention of world football as he burst onto the scene with his electric and direct style of play.
Although he was tipped for a shock call-up to England’s World Cup squad, the 21-year-old ultimately pledged his international allegiance to Jamaica.
Hvaing revealed to FourFourTwo he has rejected big-money moves for fear of rushing his career the time may now be right to kick on and take his footballing education to the next level.
How would he fit in?
Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace
Zaha’s loyalty to boyhood club Crystal Palace is certainly admirable, but the Ivory Coast international will be wary of spending his best years fighting relegation.
Although he signed a new deal in the summer, this may well be Palace’s way of merely ramping up his transfer value.
A move to Manchester United in 2013 did not work out, but the 26-year-old has matured into one of the most dangerous wingers in the Premier League since then.
