BBC sports commentator and former Swansea captain Ashley Williams revealed that Wenger extended an invitation to him in 2013, but he rejected it.
Ashley Williams told Sky Sports that he refused to move to Arsenal during the peak period of his Swansea career and has no regrets about this decision. At that time, Arsenal's Vermaelen was absent due to injury, Djourou left the team on loan, and the team's defense line was stretched thin.
So Wenger contacted Williams, one of the top defenders in the Premier League at the time, hoping that he would join the Gunners on loan. Talking about his decision, Williams said: "It was a tangled 12 hours. I didn't know how to make a decision."
"That was Arsenal, a wealthy club."
In the end, Williams chose to stay at Swansea. This decision and his loyalty to the team created his club legend status. He subsequently led the team as captain to the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium, where they defeated Bradford 5-0 and won the first major trophy in team history.
Williams said: "I aspired to lift the trophy at Wembley as the captain of Swansea and I have never regretted it. It was one of the most cherished days in my football career."
"There are so many players better than me who have never stepped onto the steps of Wembley to lift the trophy, and I can proudly say that I did it. Swansea gave me the opportunity and I feel like I owe them a debt."