Aaron Ramsey has taken to Instagram to mourn the loss of Arsenal's 'British core' following the high-profile departure of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool.
Ramsey, who, along with Oxlade-Chamberlain was hailed as part of Arsenal's 'British core' in 2012, bid his former teammate farewell in post to his Instagram page.
"Another of our British boys heading on to new things. Not only have we lost a great player we've lost a great guy in the changing room," Ramsey wrote.
"It is sad to see you go mate. Had some great memories over the years playing along side you and I wish you all the best with this new chapter in your life, he added.
The message also included the hashtag 'Shaambles', which Ramsey later clarified as a training ground nickname for Oxlade-Chamberlain.
In December 2012, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson all signed new long-term contracts at Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger describing them as the club's 'British core'.
But with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs' departure fro the club, coupled with the ongoing uncertainty around Jack Wilshere's future, the British core seems to have dissolved.
Carl Jenkinson joined Birmingham City on loan earlier this season and has not been in Arsene Wenger's first team plans for two years now.
"I believe when you have a core of British players, it's always easier to keep them together," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said in 2012, following the contract announcements.
"We are delighted that these five young players have all signed new long-term contracts. The plan is to build a team around a strong basis of young players in order to get them to develop their talent at the club."
In April this year Wenger reiterated his desire to preserve the club's British continent.
"Yes. We still have a group of young players but we have to keep them all. We have Ramsey, Chamberlain, Wilshere, Gibbs. All these players, we have to make decisions and manage to keep them together."
Ramsey is the only member of the so-called 'British core' who is a permanent fixture in Arsene Wenger's first team plans.