Ashley Williams, the former Swansea City and Wales captain, has disclosed that he once rejected a transfer to Arsenal at the peak of his career – and more than ten years later, he maintains he has no regrets about his decision.
At the time, Arsène Wenger, the French manager of Arsenal, was interested in bringing Williams to north London on loan in January 2013 as the team grappled with an injury crisis in their defence.
However, Williams, who was then guiding Swansea through their most successful season ever, declined the offer, opting instead to concentrate on making history in south Wales.
In a conversation with Sky Sports, he revealed: “I had the option of joining Arsenal on loan. But I wanted to stay because we’d made the League Cup final at Swansea.
“I wanted to play that final with my teammates. It was a strange 12 hours where I didn’t know what to do.”, reports Wales Online.
For many footballers, the prospect of moving to Premier League giants like Arsenal would have been difficult to turn down. However, Williams’ loyalty to Swansea and his ambition to win silverware prevailed.
“It’s Arsenal, a massive club,” he acknowledged.
“But I wanted to captain Swansea and lift that trophy at Wembley. We knew we had Bradford in the final and had a good chance of winning. I don’t regret it – it’s one of my favourite days in football.
“I can’t remember all the details exactly, but the option was there and it was a tough call.”
That decision proved to be the correct one.
Swansea went on to demolish Bradford City 5-0 at Wembley, clinching the club’s maiden major trophy in their history – with Williams spearheading the celebrations as skipper. The Wembley win happened in February 2013, just weeks after the transfer interest was registered.
At the time, Arsenal were desperately seeking defensive reinforcements.
Williams, who had been exceptional for Michael Laudrup’s team, was amongst the Premier League’s finest centre-backs and firmly within Arsenal’s sights.
Ultimately, his decision to remain in south Wales solidified his status as one of Swansea’s greatest skippers – and amongst Welsh football’s most revered leaders.
Williams proceeded to rack up over 350 appearances for Swansea and captain Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
Crucially, he harbours no regrets regarding the decision.
When asked if he would make the identical choice again now, even with hindsight, Williams resolutely declared: “Yeah, 100 percent.
“There are a lot of players, way better than me, who haven’t walked up the steps at Wembley and lifted a trophy. I can say I’ve done that.
“I loved Swansea and loved bringing the cup to Swansea, being part of that whole generation of players that achieved something there, so I don’t regret it at all.
“Swansea gave me an opportunity and I felt like I owed them. I don’t regret it at all, that was one of my favourite days of my career.”