As another Transfer Deadline Day rolls on, the scramble for late deals continues to hot up, and the case is no different for Arsenal.
Thomas Partey looks set to be a late arrival into north London after a summer-long saga over Atletico Madrid's Ghanaian talisman, however, the Gunners have suffered a sizeable blow in their pursuit of Lyon's Houssem Aouar.
With their search for a playmaker looking to have produced little result, could, however, Mikel Arteta still turn to the ever-present elephant in the room: Mesut Ozil?
It scarcely seems believable that it was seven years ago on Deadline Day that Arsene Wenger pulled another rabbit out of his famous hat in luring the German wizard to the Emirates to much fanfare.
After transforming the Arsenal attack alongside Alexis Sanchez, the Ozil story in recent seasons, however, has turned decidedly sour.
Bringing Arsenal's nine-year silverware drought to an end with three FA Cups, Ozil then put on arguably his best performances in an Arsenal shirt, despite his then-existing deal winding down into the 2017-18 campaign.
With the two seasons prior seeing Ozil rack up a combined tally of 14 goals and 30 league assists alone, late January that season saw the player sign a new extended deal worth a reported £350,000 per-week.
Since then, however, the north London air has been tinged with both regret and consternation.
With his numbers dwindling in terms of team contribution, the final stuttering years of the Wenger era, coupled with the rapid arrival and departure of Unai Emery, saw Ozil's impact diminish.
As confusion in regard to his fitness and a continuing 'back injury' plagued the many thousands of Arsenal column inches, Ozil has done little to curry favour - at least on the face of things to the average fan.
In the COVID-19 era also, his reputation amongst the Gunners' fanbase has gone further south - if that were possible - as the club have slashed jobs, the latest of which, tragically, has befallen Arsenal's beloved mascot Gunnersaurus.
Arteta's arrival has seen Ozil further frozen out over concerns over attitude, but, whilst the player continues to wind down the last year of his deal, could Ozil still leave Arsenal on a more positive note?
Only just into his 30s, the Gelsenkirchen native still has much to give, but there would also be a question of now simply if the midfielder has the ambition anymore, after months of time spent out of the picture, whilst earning a king's ransom in wages.
Let's look at the bigger picture: In terms of an out-and-out playmaker, there are few options in the middle of the park for Arsenal, aside from Dani Ceballos.
Whilst the Spaniard continues to echo memories of Cesc Fabregas, alas, the need for another body to drive the play is still desperately needed.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's new role on the left has signified Arteta's new approach, but rather ironically, the Gabonese has yet to score since signing his deal, which will be a concern.
Ozil's best role has been as number 10 behind the main striker, which presents a problem itself, but could Partey's injection into the Arsenal midfield see a glimmer for the former's return?
The problem for Ozil is his work-rate falls far short of his manager's benchmark, but also that with the likes of Ceballos, Grant Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny and now Partey competing for central roles, Ozil's task in breaking through could be a bridge too far.
But, if Arsenal resort to a change in system to 3-4-2-1 - retaining a back three and midfield balance - is there yet a place for Ozil, where Aouar may have slotted in?
As we saw versus Sheffield United, Alexandre Lacazette's profligacy against Liverpool cost him his starting place and should Aubameyang continue to struggle to influence games, might the number 14 return to his lone forward position?
With Hector Bellerin, Cedric and either Bukayo Saka or Ainsley Maitland-Niles holding down the wing-back roles, Partey will become the engine room for Arsenal.
That then leaves a partner of either Xhaka, Elneny or Ceballos, with essentially two number 10s or an attacking duo in advance.
Willian is prime candidate for one such role given Arteta's desire to use the Brazilian as more of a central player, so might Ozil become a dangerous tandem of both pace, finesse, but most importantly, a supply-line for Aubameyang?
That may sound fanciful, but Arsenal have little to lose in reality, with a continuing obligation to part with in excess of £1.4m per month until next summer.
It is, of course, all 'ifs' and 'buts'.
It is painfully clear the relations between both manager and fans have become frayed, and for good reason, but could Ozil yet make a returning and successful swansong for the club this season?
In a Premier League season that continues to amaze, stranger things have happened.