Veteran Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has revealed he turned down an offer from Premier League side Arsenal when he was younger.
After joining the Bianconeri from Fiorentina in 2005, Chiellini has gone on to establish himself as one of the world's best defenders.
The Italian centre-back, who came through Livorno's youth ranks, has won nine Serie A titles and four Coppa Italias in Turin, but things could have turned out differently had he taken up the Gunners' offer when he was 16.
"I didn't feel ready. If I had accepted, it would have given the impression of betraying Livorno."
The 36-year-old also had praise for his former Juventus teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whom he enjoys going up against these days.
"I respect Zlatan a lot, we respect each other. We were teammates in my first season at Juve. I was never afraid to face him, never took a step back in front of him. He already had extraordinary physical strength," he added.
"After that he became the absolute enemy, when he moved. The best enemy of my career is Ibrahimovic, without a doubt."
