Swansea City defender Kyle Bartley has insisted that he does not regret leaving Arsenal as he prepares to return to the Emirates Stadium for the first time.
The centre-back, who has endured loan spells at Sheffield United and Rangers, joined the Swans for £1m in the summer but has been hampered by injuries since arriving at the Liberty Stadium.
The 21-year-old made only his second appearance for the Welsh outfit against the Gunners earlier this month and, ahead of a return to North London, is adamant that he made the right decision to leave.
"It will be nice to go back to the Emirates," said Bartley. "The first game was a great experience and a great moment in my career.
"I've no regrets over leaving Arsenal. I'm a big believer that everything happens for a reason.
"I still had a couple of years left on my contract and if I wanted to stay the option was there for me. But I wanted to be somewhere I was more capable of playing games. My injury hampered that earlier this season, but it's a new year and I want to kick on from here."
Swansea travel to Arsenal on Wednesday for their FA Cup third-round replay.
Matt Cotton
