Time and again, the TV cameras panned to a stony-faced Raheem Sterling during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
On 76 minutes, Mikel Arteta had brought on full back Kieran Tierney, who is leaving the club to return to Celtic this summer, to play on the left wing instead of Sterling.
It was a telling moment reflecting just how far the 82-cap England international and four-time Premier League winner has slipped down Arteta’s pecking order, and epitomised a loan move which has not worked out as planned.