Cesc Fabregas almost certainly would have confirmed legendary status at Arsenal had he not left to return to boyhood club Barcelona in 2011.
The Gunners' youngest ever captain has done great things in the game, but his biggest regret in football is that he never led Arsenal to a trophy.
Although most fans understood his decision to rejoin the club he supported as a child, his next move didn't go down well with sections of supporters.
Upon leaving the Catalan giants in 2014, Fabregas signed for one of Arsenal's biggest rivals in Chelsea, where he helped the Blues to win two Premier League titles - the first under Jose Mourinho and the second under Antonio Conte.
While some fans have been unable to forgive him for making that decision, his love for the club is still apparent, and people will remember the good times he had as an Arsenal player.
Now, on his 18th anniversary as a professional footballer, Fabregas has expressed how thankful he is.
"18 years ago today I made my debut as a professional football player. It still feels like it was yesterday that I was entering the very special Highbury for the first time," he wrote on Twitter.
"I don’t know how the time has passed so fast but very blessed to have lived all this in this period of time.
"Thank you @arsenal for giving me the best opportunity of my life."
Although he left without a happy ending at the club, he did enjoy eight special years with the Gunners, and has written himself into Arsenal's history books.
