Arsenal legend Tony Adams is the latest star to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, following in the footsteps of Rio Ferdinand and Petr Cech earlier on Tuesday.
Overall, Adams is the fifth inductee from the Class of ’23, which also includes iconic managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
The retired centre-back was a mainstay for the Gunners from his debut aged 17 in 1983 until hanging up his boots in 2002. Winning two league titles with Arsenal prior to 1992, Adams went on to play 10 Premier League seasons and add two more titles in 1998 and 2002 – both part of domestic doubles.
He was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year on three occasions (1993/94, 1995/96 and 1996/97) as well once in the First Division (1986/87), as well as being inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame at the National Football Museum in 2004.
“I loved being a footballer and I love Arsenal Football Club. Every time I put that shirt on, I felt proud, and it forever holds a special place in my heart,” Adams said.
“I spent over twenty years of my life at Arsenal and enjoyed being part of several generations at the club and have countless great memories from that time, but scoring the goal that helped us to win our first Premier League title in 1997-98 was a magical moment and a career highlight for me.
“I’m very pleased to join the Premier League Hall of Fame. It’s an honour to be recognised and voted for by the fans who make the game what it is.
“I’m certainly in good company when you look at the guys it includes and I’m happy to be listed alongside the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Arsene Wenger.”
Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Ian Wright are the other Arsenal heroes to have been inducted since the Hall of Fame was created in 2021.
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, players have to made at least 250 Premier League appearances or alternatively: made a minimum of 200 Premier League appearances for one club, been selected in any of the Premier League Team of the Decade or 20-Year Anniversary teams, won a Premier League Golden Boot or Golden Glove, been voted as Premier League Player of the Season, won three Premier League titles or scored 100 Premier League goals (100 clean sheets for goalkeepers).