It offered so much hope for Arsenal fans but, as the transfer window draws to a close, they will consider the highlight the fact that they managed to hang on to Alexis Sanchez.
And that's never good.
Sure Alexandre Lacazette came in and Sead Kolasinac has quickly endeared himself to the club's supporters but it was the fact that they were able to rebuff the advances of well-heeled Manchester City for Sanchez's signature on deadline day that provided the deepest sigh of relief.
But can they really consider it a positive that they will keep a player who has made no secret of his desire to leave and one who has just a year remaining on his current contract at the Emirates?
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/903356264025120768
Sanchez can walk away from the Gunners next summer for free so should Arsenal have taken the money and ran to Monaco earlier in the window with an offer for Thomas Lemar?
Club legend Ian Wright certainly thinks so.
https://twitter.com/IanWright0/status/903312255953068033
Arsenal pulled a Hail Mary attempt to sign Lemar on deadline day with a £92 million offer but it was just too late to get the deal over the line as the Frenchman was busy banging in golazos for the national side on Thursday night.
The whole approach to the transfer market from Arsenal must be examined because there is no way that a last-gasp approach like Thursday's can be perceived as anything other than utter desperation.
And Wright went on to sum up how every single Arsenal fan felt as the 11pm deadline came closer.
https://twitter.com/IanWright0/status/903342417826504705
