Transfer Centre

Ashley Williams: 'Arsenal interest is flattering'

By Liam Power, Reporter | 17 August 2013

Swansea City captain Ashley Williams admits that he wants Champions League football and describes speculation surrounding a move to Arsenal as "flattering".

Swansea City captain Ashley Williams has described reported interest from Arsenal as "flattering", while admitting that he holds a long-term ambition to play in the Champions League.

Williams has been linked with the Arsenal consistently this summer, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger actively seeking new recruits before the transfer window closes.

The Welsh defender believes that the speculation has to be viewed as a compliment to his performances for Swansea in the Premier League, but refuses to take anything more from the transfer rumours.

He told The Mirror: "It's all very flattering, but you take it with a pinch of salt because you see a lot written and you never know what to make of it. I just take it as a compliment. You must be doing something right, whether it's true or not. I try to leave it there."

"All players with any kind of ambition want to see how high they can get, whether that's with their team, which has been the case with me at Swansea, or whatever really. If I sat here and said I didn't want to play in the Champions League, that'd be a lie. But at the same time, I'd never disrespect a team I play for and say 'that's it, I'm desperate to leave' just after a story in the paper. I'd never do that or think that.

"As professionals, like you guys, you want to see how far you can go in your career and competing for titles is where everyone wants to be. However you get there and it's a different story."

The 28-year-old will begin his third top-flight campaign at the Liberty Stadium later today when Michael Laudrup's side host defending champions Manchester United in their opening league fixture.