The former international was one of the league’s most dependable defenders in his heyday – and he was the subject of a transfer approach from Arsenal in January 2013
Ashley Williams has disclosed he once rejected a switch to Arsenal during the peak of his career – and maintains he harbours no regrets about the decision more than a decade later.
The former Swansea City and Wales skipper was amongst the Premier League’s most dependable centre-backs when Arsène Wenger came knocking in January 2013.
The Frenchman was keen to bring Williams to north London on a temporary deal as Arsenal grappled with a defensive injury crisis.
However, Williams, who was then guiding Swansea through their finest-ever campaign, declined – opting instead to concentrate on creating history in south Wales, reports Wales Online.
Speaking to 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 weird 12 hours where I didn’t know what to do.”
For most footballers, a transfer to Premier League heavyweights Arsenal would have proved difficult to turn down.
But Williams’ devotion to Swansea, coupled with his ambition to claim silverware, prevailed.
“It’s Arsenal, a massive club,” he said.
“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.
At the time, Arsenal were crying out for defensive reinforcements.
With Thomas Vermaelen sidelined and Johan Djourou departing on loan, Wenger was lacking options behind Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.
Williams, who had been exceptional for Michael Laudrup’s team, was amongst the finest centre-backs in the Premier League and squarely in Arsenal’s sights.
Ultimately, his choice to remain in south Wales solidified his status as one of Swansea’s greatest skippers – and one of Welsh football’s most revered leaders.
Williams went on to rack up over 350 appearances for Swansea and guide Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
And, crucially, he harbours no regrets over the decision.
Asked if he would make the same choice again now, even with the benefit of hindsight, Williams resolutely said: “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.”