When Arsene Wenger joined Arsenal in 1996, the back four – understandably – looked very different to today and Tony Adams was at the centre of it.

Mr. Arsenal. The man who is cast in metal outside the Emirates for all to see and never played for another club his entire footballing career.

Many talk about the different style of defender back then and now Wenger has acknowledged how footballers like Adams were almost a different ‘brand’.

“This is the guy that always found the resources to be at his best,” Wenger said. “This was the brand of the back four when I arrived, they were all the same and like that. You wondered sometimes during the week if they would be available but they always surprised you and they were always much better than you predicted they would be.”

Former England and Arsenal player Tony Adams talks about 'Sporting Chance'
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 08: Former England and Arsenal player Tony Adams talks about ‘Sporting Chance’ during day four of the Soccerex – Manchester Convention at Manchester Centralon September 8, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

The boss also spoke about what made Tony such a good leader and one of the best captains we’ve ever had, or ever will have.

“First of all he was a very intelligent player who could analyse very well what was going on during the game,” Wenger said. “He could use his qualities and intelligence to use them at a optimum level.

“He was a mixture of a laid-back player who was very fierce and strong pride. He could always find that when he was bad like he had a bad ankle you wondered if he could play at the day of a competition.”

These qualities are perhaps what have led Adams to try his hand at managing. Although this wasn’t the most successful venture, he obviously just has the natural desire to lead his troops into battle.

However, no matter what he does now, he’ll always be remembered for what he did for us. When he lead our troops into battle.