Mikel Arteta has ignored Ainsley Maitland-Niles' impassioned personal plea to resurrect his career away from north London.
As news of a potential switch to Everton gathered pace on Monday morning, Gunners supporters took to social media to express their disappointment at the prospect of their academy graduate leaving the club ahead of Tuesday's transfer deadline.
But just a few hours later, having already indicated privately that Maitland-Niles could leave the Emirates, the versatile midfielder was told in an hastily-arranged face-to-face meeting that he was no longer allowed to go.
Everton have a tabled a formal offer for the England international, who is deeply concerned that his career is stagnating at Arsenal due to his lack of action.