Arsenal’s Greatest Premier League XI

Centre-Back – Tony Adams

He signed as a bright-eyed schoolboy in 1980 and waited three years to make his league debut at the tender age of 17, but Tony Adams’ outstanding talent saw him quickly rise up the Arsenal ranks and cement his status as one of the club’s greatest ever players.

‘Mr. Arsenal’ earned many incredible achievements during his time with the Gunners – where he was bestowed with the armband at just 21 and became the first captain to be part of a League/FA Cup double-winning team in 1993 – and he remains the only player in English football history to captain a team to the title in three different decades.

To supplement his extraordinary character, Adams further endeared himself to supporters through his committed style on the pitch: first as a brave, physical presence at the heart of George Graham’s unforgiving defence and later via his development as an accomplished ball-playing figure under Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman’s impact upon arrival in 1996 arguably saved Adams’ career and granted him an extended stay at the highest level, which again culminated in that historic 2002 victory against Man United.

Having won ten major trophies during his sporting journey, featuring in the PFA Team of the Year on four occasions and being inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame, it’s fair to say Tony Adams gave his all whenever he wore the Arsenal shirt, and that is why we will always remember the name on the back.

Centre-Back – Sol Campbell

Partnering the one-club man at centre-half is his football antithesis Sol Campbell, who famously dared to cross the Seven Sisters divide on a free transfer in 2001.

The Bosman acquisition of our arch-rivals’ captain allowed Campbell to capture the hearts of Arsenal fans almost instantly, but it was his brilliant on-field displays and immediate success that earned him his reputation as an Arsenal great. He justified his controversial decision by forming a strong new alliance with Kolo Touré and together they became the bedrock of the astonishing Invincibles campaign in 2003/04, during which we conceded a league-best 26 goals.

After a difficult season blighted by injury and poor form which often saw him omitted from the starting XI, Campbell bounced back in the latter stages of 2005/06 and was part of a defensive unit that kept ten consecutive clean sheets on their way to a maiden Champions League final. The burly centre-back etched his name into Arsenal folklore with his first-half header in Paris, but the night ultimately ended in disappointment and he left the club by mutual consent the following summer.

Despite making ‘only’ 211 appearances spread across two separate spells, Campbell gained rich reward for his transfer bravery with five major trophies and was involved in some of the best moments in the Gunners’ history, realising our collective dream of winning the league at White Hart Lane.

Kenneth Daly

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