There are people in life who somehow manage to fly under the radar. They are there, but we rarely notice them. Their presence feels so natural, so taken for granted. Until they're gone.When that happens, there is a kind of awakening. Suddenly, we all become aware of the void they have left behind, remembering their glory days, successes and achievements. Only then do we start to regard them as legends and give them the place in history they deserve.False 10: You'll never make such a legacy alone like Mo didMany would say that by then, it's already too late. But don't be fooled – everyone likes to have their moment in the spotlight, even in the twilight of their career, and make the most of their fifteen minutes of fame.But not the hero of our story. His glory days were quiet. He had a gentle nature and never sought attention. He was like that good neighbour who says good morning to you every day, but you're not even sure what his name is. So, even his departure passed without much fanfare.Former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has announced his retirement. pic.twitter.com/D7ZMl3W63X— Jeorge Bird (@jeorgebird) July 25, 2026 The upcoming Premier League campaign – which kicks off in six days – will be the first in 19 years without Lukasz Fabianski, who announced his retirement three weeks ago.The Pole arrived in England in 2007, when he joined Arsenal as a 22-year-old from Legia Warsaw in a €4.35 million transfer.With Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia in the picture, there wasn't much room for the newcomer. Even the Gunners' faithful might have thought, Okay, so we brought in another talented goalkeeper. So what?Still, Fabianski never gave up.FALSE 10: The man who said goodbye and turned off the lightsIn his first season, he made three Premier League appearances. In his second, six. The following one, four. Either way, he was there.Over seven years with Arsenal, he played 32 league games. Some would say "only 32", but who cares? Fabianski surely didn't.Players, coaches, staff members, referees… They all came and went. Clubs were promoted and relegated. But the Pole remained the Premier League constant.At the same time, there was one thing he never compromised on – he refused to drop down a level and play in the Championship.##NAJAVA_MECA_9894249##Once his spell with Arsenal came to an end, he joined Swansea on a free transfer in 2014. For four years, he was the Swans' first-choice keeper, making 150 appearances for the club.The moment they were relegated in 2018, he returned to London, to West Ham, which paid him €8 million, and never regretted it.Fabianski remained faithful to the Hammers until the end of the previous campaign. He won the 2023 UEFA Conference League and became one of the club's most beloved figures.Last season, he had serious back issues, and with West Ham relegated and his contract expired, he made a difficult but natural decision – to hang up his boots (and gloves) at the age of 41.Fabianski in action during his final Premier League game, Ipswich-West Ham, in May 2025 (©Richard Pelham/Getty Images)Still, he left behind a remarkable legacy in the EPL.With 58 clean sheets in 270 appearances, he ranks ninth among goalkeepers in the last decade.Only David James (13) and Thomas Sorensen (12) saved more penalty kicks than Fabianski, who denied 11, while being the only keeper who stopped at least one spot-kick in seven consecutive Premier League seasons (from 2016/2017 to 2022/2023).11 – Only David James (13) and Thomas Sørensen (12) have saved more penalties in the Premier League than Lukasz Fabianski (11).Fabianski is the only goalkeeper to save a penalty in seven consecutive seasons (2016-17 – 2022-23).Specialist. https://t.co/Vphl8AFLfU pic.twitter.com/5BIEgESBBK— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 27, 2026 The fact that he was named Player of the Season both at Swansea (2017/2018) and West Ham (2018/2019) speaks volumes about his impact on those teams.And now, the English top flight will have to get used to life without one of its most familiar faces.At first, everyone will think, Wow, that's easy. Hardly anyone will feel his absence. But don't be so sure.FALSE 10: Too Close to the SunSometime around the halfway point of the season, when clips of the best saves of the campaign start popping up on social media, they'll notice something – or rather someone – is missing.There won't be short footage of a custodian who has just made a tremendous stop, only to stand there poker-faced, showing no emotion. As if he'd done something totally routine. For him, it was just another day in the office, but his working days are over.FALSE 10: Patience and beliefSo, if in a few months, Premier League fans get that strange feeling that something is missing – like when you leave your apartment and suddenly wonder whether you closed the window, hoping it won't rain – they shouldn't worry. It's merely a reminder that there is one less legend in the league. One who had been there for the previous 19 seasons. One whose presence was simply taken for granted.And while they rack their brains trying to figure out what's missing, that legend will be enjoying a well-deserved retirement, watching basketball, of which he is a huge fan – and perhaps a little bit of the Championship, even though he never played in it, if only to keep an eye on West Ham – all far away from the spotlight, which never quite shone brightly enough on him.##NAJAVA_MECA_9895123##