Kyle's gunning for reunion
5th January
Swans defender Kyle Bartley is looking forward to welcoming old friends to the Liberty Stadium on Sunday when Arsenal arrive for the FA Cup third round tie (1.30pm).
The 21-year-old defender spent five years at Arsenal before making the switch to Wales in the summer.
Despite the fact that he has made just one senior appearance in an injury-hit campaign so far, Bartley is now back to full fitness and hoping to force his way into Michael Laudrup's plans for Sunday.
"I don't know what the manager's thoughts are, but obviously there are a lot of fixtures in a short space of time and I'm sure the squad will be rotated," said Bartley.
"But if I get the chance, my heart is with Swansea and my head is fully focused on us getting a good result. As soon as that whistle goes my mind would be on the job in hand and my team winning the game.
"The likes of Chico, Ash and Monks have all been fantastic this season and I'm certainly not angry that I haven't played more.
"I'm an intelligent person and I don't think I deserve a chance yet because the lads have been doing so well. So I just have to be patient and wait for an opportunity to show everyone what I can do."
Speaking exclusively in Jack Magazine, the club's matchday programme for Sunday's tie, Bartley added: "I spoke to a few of the lads at Arsenal and they are all looking forward to the game and hoping I'm involved as well.
"I still speak to the likes of Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Emmanuel Frimpong and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, all players that I got on well with during my time there.
"I played alongside Jack for the majority of my time at the club and he is a fantastic player. I'm glad he's back to full fitness and you can tell from how Arsenal are playing now that they have missed him an awful lot."
Bartley joined Arsenal in 2007 and went on to captain the club's reserve side before winning the FA Youth Cup in 2009. His only appearance for the Gunners came away at Olympiakos in the Champions League in December 2009.
You can read the full interview in Jack Magazine.
Jack Magazine is available around the stadium and the club shop before kick-off, priced £3.
Tickets for Sunday's game are still available from the Liberty Stadium ticket office. It is open until 4pm on Saturday and from 10am on Sunday. Ring 0844 815 6665.
