Gunners Hall of Fame
The best of the best to represent the gun
Whenever one has a discussion on 'the best one club man’, or 'the greatest English player’, or 'the greatest English league player’, we often miss out on one name; Tony Adams
For someone with such an illustrious career, it’s a crime to go unnoticed in such discussions. How often does one name Tony Adams while mentioning all time greats for the English league? Not much. Let’s have a read through the legacy of the GREATEST captain in arsenal’s history.
Adams was signed by the arsenal’s academy at just 14. Under George Graham, he went on to make his debut against Sunderland at a mere age of 17. Adams won his first ever major career trophy against Liverpool at the Wembley, the English league cup. A year later, Adams was given the captain’s armband at just 21! His outstanding leadership qualities and the demanding calibre impressed Graham, who handled Adams this huge responsibility. And boy did it pay out well.
The 1988–89 season was one of the most significant ones in arsenal’s history. Tony Adams captained that arsenal side to a league title triumph against Liverpool after 18 years! For the 22 year old captain, and the young arsenal team, beating a Liverpool side that had dominated English football for most of the 1980s was the springboard into an era of success under George Graham. And in what a fashion did they quest the league, won it on the final day!
Called as the 'stopper' Adams was a tall, courageous and a very strong defender with great aerial prowess and intelligence to read the game and position himself and time his tackles. Not to forget his leadership qualities, no wonder he was given the captain’s role at just 21. A born leader.
The 1992–93 season was no different, as Adams beckoned history by being the first ever player to captain an English side to the domestic double. The Adams-led arsenal won both the fa cup and the league cup in ’93, surprisingly, both conquests were against the same opposition; Sunderland.
The route to the fa cup triumph was a sweet one, why wouldn’t it be? Afterall, the gunners overcame bitter rivals spurs in the semis. A perfect match to savour for Adams, who scored the winner near the 80th minute, a thumping headed goal from the far post marching the arsenal towards the finals.
Adams along with Steve bould, Lee Dixon and Nigel winterburn formed the famous back 4, who played prominent role in arsenals only European cup win; the cup winner’s cup against Parma. Arsenal’s famed back four were almost impenetrable during the tournament as the Gunners only conceded one goal in seven games from the second round through to the final. And after a 0-0 draw at Torino in the quarterfinal, Adams scored the winner in the second leg to put Arsenal through 1-0 on aggregate. After dispatching Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 on aggregate in the last four, Adams helped orchestrate another clean sheet in the final as his side beat defending champions Parma 1-0 thanks to Alan Smith’s goal.
1996, when Arsene Wenger signed as a manager, many expressed doubts about this decision, including the arsenal captain. Many weren’t sure how the Frenchman would do it in one of the toughest leagues in the world. However, it was only fitting that Wenger went on to prove everyone wrong by winning the league title in the 97/98 season. Captained under Adams, Wenger won his first English league title amassing a total of 78 points.
Out of many iconic moments, Adams personal favourite is the goal he scored against Everton to clinch the league title in 1998. The Gunners had already wrapped up the title, leading Everton 3-0 in their final home game, when Bould put his centre-back partner through on goal with a perfect ball over the top. Adams finished with a clinical half-volley that in many ways symbolised the new way Arsenal played football under Wenger.
After 674 appearances for the arsenal ( 2nd most in the club’s history), Adams capped an illustrious career with another domestic double in 2002, winning the fa cup and the premier league, in what was his final season before hanging up his boots. He was then included in the English Football Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game.
A statue of Adams was placed outside Emirates Stadium in celebration of the club’s 125th anniversary on 9 December 2011 to immortalise the greatest ever to captain arsenal.
A brief look at his achievements
4 league titles
3 fa cups
2 league cups
2 charity shield
1 European cup winner’s cup.
And individually
PFA young player of the year 86/87
PFA English league team of the year 86/87, 93/94, 95/96 and 96/97
PFA team of the century 97/07
English football hall of fame.
