Hall of Fame

Reasons why Tony Adams joins the Premier League Hall of Fame

3 May 2023
Tony Adams and Arsene Wenger with the FA Cup and Premier League trophy

We look at the numbers that justify legendary Arsenal captain's inclusion in Hall of Fame

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Tony Adams is the latest former player to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. 

The legendary Arsenal captain was selected by supporters across the world through an online public vote and the Premier League Awards Panel.

Adams' career in numbers
Category Tony Adams
Appearances 255
Goals 12
Assists 9
Clean sheets 115
PL titles 2
Monthly awards 0
What they said

"When I first came to Arsenal, I realised the back four were all university graduates in the art of defending. As for Tony Adams, I consider him to be a doctor of defence. He is simply outstanding." – Arsene Wenger

"He was just brilliant. He was a great man-motivator, knew when to get on your back, but knew when to do it, when you needed a little shove. Just a great captain and it was great having him in front of me." – David Seaman

“I think Tony Adams was a United player in an Arsenal shirt to be honest with you. I thought he would have been absolutely perfect for United. I tried a little bit [to sign him] when he was 19 and in the reserves but there was no chance.” – Sir Alex Ferguson

The stats that show Adams' greatness

Adams remains the only player to captain a side to top-flight titles in three different decades.

Among defenders with at least 200 Premier League appearances, Adams kept a clean sheet in the highest percentage of those matches (45.1 per cent), with 115 shutouts in 255 matches between 1992 and 2002. 

All 12 of Adams’ Premier League goals were scored in London. Ten came at Highbury, one at the Boleyn Ground and one at Loftus Road. No player in Premier League history has ever scored more goals with them all exclusively in London.

In Arsenal's first title Premier League title-winning season of 1997/98, the Gunners won 65 per cent of their matches when Adams played (17/26), compared with only 50 per cent when the captain was absent (6/12).

Of all Arsenal players to score at least 10 Premier League goals, Tony Adams scored the highest percentage of them in home games, with 83 per cent of his total coming at Highbury (10/12).

Nine of Tony Adams' 12 Premier League goals were headers, the highest percentage for Arsenal player to score at least 10 (75 per cent).

Adams remains the only player to captain a side to top-flight titles in three different decades.

Also in this series

Part 1: Tony Adams inducted into Premier League Hall of Fame

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