#6 Tony Adams
Another one club man, Tony Adams spent his 22-year career with the Gunners and was the definition of a typical English defender, know for playing hard both on and off the pitch. However, once Arsene Wenger showed up at Highbury, the Romford boy underwent a massive change and was transformed into a consummate professional whose efforts were rewarded with trophies, something that was beyond his wildest dreams.
Arsenal’s former striker Ian Wright described his teammate the best: “Captain, a great defender, and a great leader. He was so inspirational and was able to get the best out of those around him.” In his first season with the armband, Adams led the side to the First Division title, which Arsenal won on the very last day at Anfield.
But what the central defender did best was bring an air of consistency every time he stepped on the pitch as distractions, pressure, mishaps, all evaporated the minute he walked on.
The only pre- and post-Wenger link, Adams made over 650 appearances for the club and captained the Gunners for a remarkable fourteen years, winning four Premier League (First Division) titles and one Cup Winners Cup, among others.
