COMMENT: No ambition. Easy option. Blah, blah, blah. Yeah, we get it. Rejecting Arsenal to stick with Leicester City? Of course, Jamie Vardy's soft...
Or does his decision say more about where Arsenal now rank inside the game than Vardy's apparent lack of drive?
It appeared nailed on. Arsenal had triggered his buyout clause. Their contract offer was superior to what Leicester's owners had put in front of him. The medical was booked. The PR staff called in for his presentation. It was a done deal...
But even with this so-called opportunity in front of him, Vardy, at 29 years of age, chose to stick with the Foxes - and on less money. It stunned us all. But rather than question the player's character, the spotlight should be shone on Arsenal. Why is playing for Leicester, at this time, a more attractive option than pulling on a Gunners shirt?
On paper, the quality inside the Arsenal locker room far outstrips what you see at Leicester. But you don't win games on paper. Nor trophies. And in contrast to Arsenal's sorry record, this Leicester team have won two league titles in three years. They boast the current PFA Player of the Year in Riyad Mahrez and have perhaps the most exciting 'new' midfield name in Europe, N'Golo Kante. But beyond individuals, they have a culture and a track record of winning.
Yes, Leicester don't have the profile of Arsenal. The reputation. The glamour. But when it came to the crunch last season. When Arsenal actually knocked off Leicester at the Emirates. It was the Foxes, not Arsenal, who dug deep and went again.
If those two locker rooms had swapped places after that last-gasp February result, it would be Arsenal who'd be champions today. That's the difference. The Leicester squad is full of serious pros. Winners. Why would Vardy leave for a locker room famous for its selfies and blonde rinse?
Which is why Wenger cannot afford to let this lay. He not only needs a new striker. He needs to make a statement. Leicester a better option than Arsenal? It's unthinkable. But it's happened. And for all those questioning Vardy's ambition, the same number will be wondering just what is wrong inside Arsenal.
The club is still recovering from that botched attempt for Luis Suarez three years ago. Alexis Sanchez, as good as he is, papers over the cracks. Vardy was to be the answer. An England striker. A Premier League title winner. A different type of attacker compared to Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud. A true No9 to excite the Gunners faithful. Wenger needs to go again.
He didn't back in 2013. It was Suarez or bust. There was no plan B. Similarly, last summer, when he failed to prise Karim Benzema away from Real Madrid. That was it. By his own admission. Wenger only wanted the Frenchman and no-one else. Sorry to remind you, Gooners. But this is the manager's track record. Can he change his ways?
AC Milan are putting Carlos Bacca up for sale. The Chinese at Inter Milan are pondering what to do with Mauro Icardi. And we know Gonzalo Higuain's Napoli contract carries a buyout clause. There's experienced, proven goalscorers out there - and available. And just as importantly, with the reputation and profile to make a statement about where Arsenal sit amongst Europe's heavyweights.
Wenger can't sit on his hands. With Welbeck (again) sidelined, he needs to find a striker signing simply in practical terms. But it runs deeper than that. What Arsenal have to offer wasn't enough to tempt Vardy away from the champions.
Arsenal need to make a statement. Gooners just need to hope that this time around, Wenger has a B list drawn up.
INJURY TIME
It wasn't all doom and gloom last week for Arsenal. Hector Bellerin WILL sign a new deal after the Euros.
It came directly from Catalan sources. Barca wanted Bellerin to return and replace the Juventus-bound Daniel Alves.
They'd already struck a similar deal with Villarreal over Denis Suarez, like Bellerin a La Masia graduate, and 12 months previous had welcomed back Aleix Vidal from Sevilla. Bellerin was to be next.
The fullback had even spoken openly about playing again for Barca - albeit in the Catalan press.
But those same sources confirmed last week that Bellerin had made it clear to Barca, particularly sports director Robert Fernandez, that he'd be signing a new deal and staying with Arsenal.
A blow to Barca. And also perhaps a blow to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.
It's now up to Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis to make sure Bellerin's loyalty won't be in vain.