Arsenal target Ashley Williams admits he wants to play Champions League

Swansea defender Ashley Williams today left the door open to a move away from the Liberty Stadium, admitting to the Times that he dreams of playing in the Champions League. Having utilised the much worn cliche “I’m happy here, but …” Williams went on to insist that his Champions League dreams could be realised at the Welsh Club. However his admission may have re-alerted potential suitors, who were rumoured to include Arsenal and Liverpool during the summer transfer window.

Williams has had his first taste of European competition in this season’s Europa League, and admitted that it has whetted his appetite for more.

“I am completely happy at Swansea but I would like to listen to the Champions League music once in my life.”

“If we can go to the next step that would be the dream come true. We’re probably seen as a little bit more established, [although] the big teams probably see us as little old Swansea.”

“Most of us have not played in Europe before and we are prolonging it as long as we can.”

Probably as far removed from the Champions League as you can get, Williams has Sunday’s South Wales derby with Cardiff City on Sunday – a game he has labelled as “massive.”

“It is so intense, it is not normal, but you try to keep your emotions in check. You can’t help but feed off the intensity of the crowd.

“Everything is tenfold. The games are always a bit cagey, close for a bit, then it normally gets a bit edgy. It is a massive day for the players and we are aware it is for the fans.

“I hear people say ‘as long as we beat them, nothing else matters’, but for me, it is the overall picture. I just hope there isn’t anything silly outside the ground. We want the atmosphere, they can banter all they want.”