On transfer deadline day Arsenal signed Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea.
Whilst there were some reservations about the move, it was seen as a good piece of business in many quarters, signing a Premier League player who Mikel Arteta knew well from their time at Manchester City together, and who could add some depth to their attacking options.
And the fact that Chelsea would continue to subsidise a good proportion of his wages was an added bonus.
It would be fair to say that the gamble has not paid off for either player or club. Arteta has been reluctant to give Sterling any game time, even in matches where the Gunners need a goal, such as the stalemate against Everton at the weekend.
Sterling is taking up a place in the squad and consuming resources that could have gone towards the new striker Arsenal clearly need, whilst he has lost the opportunity to prove that he can still play at the top level in English football.
If there is any provision to cut the loan short, both parties may be consulting the small print just now.
