Portsmouth loan signing Quincy Owusu-Abeyie admits he should never have quit Arsenal.

Owusu-Abeyie, who is still only 23, believes he is paying the price for his reckless decision to leave the Gunners for the promise of regular first-team football at Spartak Moscow four years ago.

The on-loan Spartak hitman admitted: "I was aware of the problems at Portsmouth when I came here last month and I knew the players hadn't been paid.

"But the money was not my priority. I just thought it was a great opportunity to finally show what I could do in the Premier League.

"I was only 19 when I left Arsenal but with so many big names in the team it was very hard to get a game.

"My agent at the time advised me to accept the offer from Moscow but now I kind of regret that decision. It's been quite difficult for me over there and very cold - at the moment it's -20.

"I've tried to do my job and play well without thinking what I'm up against because there is the possibility I will have to return to Moscow.

"But I'd really like to stay in England. In the last couple of years, my career has taken a step backwards and now I'm trying to go forward again."