The versatile full-back has made 111 appearances and scored six times since arriving at Fratton Park in July 2022 under Danny Cowley
For one season only he was Arsenal’s stand-in left-back, a glorious campaign which reaped an Under-18s title for the Gunners.
Bearing in mind Zak Swanson’s previous success in the role, it’s understandable why there was little trepidation upon being asked by John Mousinho to return there some seven years later.
Zak Swanson in Arsenal Under-18s action in the FA Youth Cup against Northampton in December 2018. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images.placeholder image
Zak Swanson in Arsenal Under-18s action in the FA Youth Cup against Northampton in December 2018. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images. | Getty Images
At the age of 25, the right-back enjoyed his finest Fratton Park season in 2025-26, recognised by finishing third in The News/Sports Mail’s Player Of The Season and earning a new two-year Blues deal.
Arguably a break-out campaign, it was primarily achieved through spending 20 matches at left-back, with just one fewer start in the position than first-choice incumbent Connor Ogilvie.
‘I played at left-back just under a whole season at Arsenal’
Swanson told The News: ‘I played left-back when I was a bit younger in Arsenal’s Academy, so I had already adapted to it a bit. But I’ve always been pretty comfortable technically with both feet.
‘It was with their under-18s, I was a second-year scholar, and I played at left-back just under a whole season to fit into the team. We didn’t really have a left-back and that was my role.
Zak Swanson enjoyed his best Pompey season to date in 2025-26 - while featuring at left-back.placeholder image
Zak Swanson enjoyed his best Pompey season to date in 2025-26 - while featuring at left-back. | Getty Images
‘The older left-back, Dom Thompson, had moved up to under-21s and we had two right-backs, so I was the one who went over to the left side and adapted to that position.
‘It’s about having that versatility and being comfortable playing in different positions, just accepting my role at Pompey last year to fill in at left-back and expressing myself. Off the back of that, I feel I produced some really good performances.
‘I was really happy to be fair. I’ve had some tough times, moved position a lot and played a lot of the left side, but I think I adapted really well and grew into the role.
‘I don’t really know if my future will be there, I’ve never really thought about it too much. Obviously I know my main position is to play as a full-back, but whether that’s at left-back doesn't really cross my mind.
‘To be honest, I am not really bothered, I just want to be playing. It’s a major thing for me to be playing, being fit and available. I want to be in the starting XI, whether that’s left-back, right-back or the two other positions I played this year.
‘I try to do my best for the team, no matter what position I’m asked to do.’
A Millwall stunner to mark new positional switch
Following Ogilvie’s knee injury against Wrexham in November 2025, Mousinho initially turned to Jordan Williams at left-back.
That would prove to be a fleeting one-game spell, with the baton swiftly handed over to Swanson for Millwall’s visit to Fratton Park as Pompey searched for a first win in seven matches.
Zak Swanson has been at Pompey since July 2022 - with only Connor Ogilvie and Marlon Pack at Fratton Park longer.placeholder image
Zak Swanson has been at Pompey since July 2022 - with only Connor Ogilvie and Marlon Pack at Fratton Park longer. | Paul Phelan/ProSportsImages
From that moment, the Danny Cowley signing was first-choice deputy for Ogilvie, albeit also starting in the centre of midfield at Sheffield Wednesday and at centre-half against Southampton.
And Swanson, who turns 26 in September, is convinced being a right footer at left-back actually suited his game rather than hindered it.
‘I probably played a bit more deep than I’m used to’
He added: ‘It maybe suited my game a bit more to come inside the pitch playing as a right footer.
‘I probably played a bit more deep than I’m used to and inverted a lot more, although maybe I can express myself a bit more doing that.
‘Coming inside onto my right foot was obviously the stronger part of my game. Obviously there are times at left-back when you need a left footer and, while I am still using it, I’m playing more inside.’