‘Really didn’t enjoy that time’: Ex-Arsenal man makes honest Portsmouth admission after early Fratton struggles
Zak Swanson has amassed 94 appearances for Pompey following his arrival from Arsenal in 2022.
Zak Swanson is adamant he is currently enjoying his football the most since his Fratton Park switch in July 2022.
And the honest defender has opened up on the struggles he faced the first two seasons of his Pompey career as he made the step up to senior football.
After arriving from Arsenal more than three-and-a-half-years ago, the versatile right-back was in-and-out of the Blues’ League One side in his maiden campaign on the south coast due to injury problems, which limited him to just 25 outings in all competitions.
But following Pompey’s return to the Championship, the ex-Hale End academy graduate has been a revelation and has since established himself as a regular fixture in the John Mousinho’s starting XI .
With the full-back now enjoying a consistent run in the head coach’s squad, which has seen him miss just one of the Blues’ past 11 league matches due to illness, Swanson has opened up on the tough challenges he’s faced at Fratton Park - and why he’s now enjoying his football the most.
Ex-Arsenal man opens up on early Fratton struggles
He told The News: ‘It really is (playing consistent minutes). It had been a tough time for me in my first two seasons here, I obviously had personal issues and injuries and really didn’t enjoy that time.
‘Last year I really kicked on and stayed fit. I’ve now been available - obviously not the Derby game (illness) - but for every game this season and most of the games last season.
‘I think that’s what you have to be at this level. I learnt that pretty quickly coming out of an academy and It’s massive now staying fit and playing football.
‘Yeah maybe (playing the best football of his career). It’s a different position but I’ll probably say I’m enjoying my football the most, having that freedom to play at left-back and at right-back.
‘Obviously Tez (Terry Devlin) is doing really well and we’ve helped each other to be honest. I’ll probably say this is my most consistent run in my career.’
Defender’s ‘love’ for Pompey after recent transformation
In the absence of the injured Connor Ogilvie and Jacob Farrell at left-back, Swanson has stepped up to answer Mousinho’s SOS on the left-hand side of the backline, which has seen him put in a number of brilliant displays.
And the 25-year-old has given an insight into his now role and his love for playing at Fratton.
‘I’ve played quite a few games there now. I enjoy it. Just playing to be honest, especially here, I love playing and having a relationship on the left.
‘I’ve enjoyed it, it's a different role for me but it’s not too dissimilar to playing right-back. It helps me a little bit because I’m right-footed so I can come inside, stay inside, rotate and I’m really enjoying it and playing.
‘It’s a different part to my game and I think the gaffer can see that I can play there and that I’m enjoying rotating into midfield. I think I’ve got that in my game and have been showing that.
‘I’m really enjoying it and enjoying my football here.’