St Etienne fullback Mathieu Debuchy has no regrets over his move to England.

Debuchy quit Arsenal for ASSE last month after a difficult time in London following his move from Newcastle United.

He told the St Etienne match programme: "I signed for Newcastle during a winter transfer window.

"English football was very fast and not easy at first because I had just lived all my training in Lille, right next to my home. I went there because playing in England is something you cannot refuse.

"The championship is very high standard, the requirement is high. You have to be physically prepared. The chance I had was to play right away when I arrived. But, sincerely, it is not easy to impose oneself."

He added: "The structure of a club like Arsenal, for example, is huge, almost incomparable. I will keep in mind the way of living football that the English have. Just for that, playing in the Premier League is worth it."