Tony Adams is an Arsenal legend. He was a cockney defender who
amassed over a monkey (669 in total) of appearances, and was
recently voted 3rd 'greatest Gunner' in an online poll conducted by
the club's official website.
There was outcry from some Arsenal quarters concerning the result.
He was pipped to the post by Dennis Bergkamp, and Thierry Henry.
Both outstanding players, and certainly contained more elegance on
the ball, but the poll did not ask for Arsenal's greatest player -
it was for the greatest Gunner.
Adams was the very embodiment of the Arsenal ethos. He had flawless
leadership credentials, incessant courage, unrivalled passion, and
constantly carried an inspiration to win. He is one of the few
players to have spent their entire career at only one club, and
only the third in Arsenal's long and illustrious history, along
with the Compton brothers.
He is the north London club's youngest ever captain, taking the
armband at a tender age of 22, five years after his first-team
debut. He then guided the side to a plethora of silverware
including three league titles, two FA Cups, one League Cup and a
European Cup Winners Cup.
Since he has left Arsenal, he spent a brief stint managing lower
league side Wycombe Wanderers, before linking up with Harry
Redknapp at Fratton Park.
On the prospect of rejoining the Gunners, the 41-year old is quoted
by Setanta Sports as saying: "Arsene won't move over will he?!"
Before adding: "I keep saying to him: 'When are you going to move
over and let me have a bash?' But, at the moment, he still seems to
be enjoying himself although, one day [maybe]."
His is one face that the red and white army will no doubt welcome
with open arms.
source: goal.com