Kyle Bartley has 'no Arsenal regrets'

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.