Tony Alexander Adams MBE
Date of birth: 10 October 1966
Place of birth: Romford, Greater London, England
Nationality: English 🏴
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s): Centre-back
Arsenal Youth Career: 1980-1983
Arsenal Senior Career: 1983-2002
Senior Apps/Goals: 672/49
General Information
Tony Adams, born October 10, 1966, is a retired English footballer and former manager, widely regarded as an Arsenal and England legend. Affectionately called “Mr. Arsenal,” he devoted his entire 19-year professional career to Arsenal, playing as a centre-back. Over 672 matches, he secured four English league championships and is celebrated as one of the club’s all-time greats. His contributions earned him a place among the Football League’s 100 Legends.
During his time at Arsenal, Adams led the team to four top-tier league titles, achieving the rare feat of captaining championship sides in three different decades. He also lifted three FA Cups, two League Cups, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and two Community Shields. His legacy is immortalized with a statue outside Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, one of only six individuals so honored. Internationally, he earned 66 caps for England from 1987 to 2000, competing in four major tournaments.
After retiring, Adams transitioned to management, taking charge of Wycombe Wanderers, Portsmouth, Gabala in Azerbaijan, and Granada in Spain.
Off the field, Adams faced personal challenges with alcoholism early in his career, culminating in a four-month prison sentence after a car accident for driving significantly over the legal alcohol limit. Since achieving sobriety in 1996, he has dedicated himself to supporting athletes with addiction issues, founding the Sporting Chance Clinic to aid those struggling with substance abuse or gambling.
| Season | Appearances | Goals |
| 1983-1984 | 3 | 0 |
| 1984-1985 | 18 | 0 |
| 1985-1986 | 10 | 0 |
| 1986-1987 | 55 | 6 |
| 1987-1988 | 51 | 2 |
| 1988-1989 | 46 | 5 |
| 1989-1990 | 46 | 5 |
| 1990-1991 | 37 | 4 |
| 1991-1992 | 44 | 2 |
| 1992-1993 | 52 | 2 |
| 1993-1994 | 49 | 4 |
| 1994-1995 | 42 | 4 |
| 1995-1996 | 28 | 3 |
| 1996-1997 | 35 | 3 |
| 1997-1998 | 36 | 3 |
| 1998-1999 | 36 | 2 |
| 1999-2000 | 33 | 1 |
| 2000-2001 | 38 | 2 |
| 2001-2002 | 13 | 1 |
