Highbury and mighty

profile; Tony Adams; As victory in Europe beckons, Ian Ridley assesses the talismanic powers of Arsenal's captain

HANDS up, who likes Tony Adams? Not many, judging by the ee-aw donkey impressions still brayed by opposing supporters at Arsenal's arm- waving, face-contorting captain and defensive totem.It is probably only superficial, however. Most would want him similarly organising their own back line.

Most professionals, too, would want him in their team and most managers - no, make that all - would rush to sign a player who would undoubtedly become the most expensive defender in English football. He has paid his dues for a jail sentence for drink-driving almost five years ago and emerged an even more resilient character. Also, the donkey is in danger of being seen as a thoroughbred; ee-aw, ee-aw, ee always did have the potential.

Arsenal's has been a season of self-examination after the Paul Merson alcohol, gambling and cocaine revelations and George Graham's dismissal after the board's verdict of conduct unbecoming in accepting "unsolicited gifts" from an agent in two transfer deals. It has caused Adams to take a look at himself, too, which has led to transfer speculation. A feeling of deflation that only 13,000 turned up for his testimonial against Crystal Palace added to his unease.

But it seems to have passed. Now the spring is back in the Arsenal step with the European Cup-winners' Cup final against Real Zaragoza in Paris on Wednesday to come. His team-mates have reassured him that the Palace attendance was a slur not on him but on the opposition. The fans do indeed love him as performer of pride and passion in their club's shirt; when they echo the donkey chanting, it is with irony at an example of good play.

The final also shows that there is life after his mentor Graham, whose win-above-all attitude Adams personified on the pitch. A London boy and an Essex man, Adams is called "Rodders" (after the character in Only Fools and Horses) by the players. He is happy to be living near mum and dad still, and has four years left on his contract. He is indeed a rock, and like a stick of it, Arsenal is written right through him.

Ian Wright may score the goals - one in each of Arsenal's eight European ties this season - and David Seaman save them, but in between Adams is the co-ordinator; "the field marshal" as Don Howe, an England coach and former Arsenal manager, says. "We will be making sure Tony Adams is lifting trophies for the club for many years to come," insisted David Dein, the vice-chairman, at Stansted Airport after the semi-final victory over Sampdoria, emphasising the touchstone's importance and seeking to dismiss transfer talk.

It was Howe who gave Adams his Arsenal debut at the age of 17. He was then a gangling colt of raw promise and not the assertive figure he was to become. "I remember a pre-season tour to Germany," Howe recalled. "Arsenal were ahead of other clubs in nutrition and physiology and we had the players on a diet of vegetables and pasta. One night I saw Tony sitting in a corner with a plate of chips and I went over to him. He told me he didn't like all these meals, that he was hungry and hoped I didn't mind. I laughed and told him to order as many plates of chips as he wanted."

Adams's England debut came at the age of 20, an impressive one against Spain, leading the then manager Bobby Robson to compare him hastily with Bobby Moore. It was more like Patrick Moore a year later at the European Championship finals when, Adams's limbs flailing, Marco van Basten turned him every which way in scoring a hat-trick for Holland.

He was subsequently omitted from the World Cup squad of 1990 and, worse, was imprisoned the following Christmas. "He took his punishment like a man, on the chin and got on with it," said Howe. On his return, against Reading in a reserve match, his pent-up aggression was released in a "Cry Freedom" bellow at the end.

Restored to England colours by Graham Taylor, he was found wanting in a match against the Republic of Ireland and another exile followed. Club form, as he was lifting two Championships for Arsenal, made him a strong case for a recall and was largely blameless in the last dark days of Taylor.

Now he is an automatic choice under Terry Venables, who only just made David Platt his regular captain in preference, though Adams has been given the job in Platt's absence. "This gives everyone hope," said Adams at the time. "People do make mistakes in every walk of life. I just think people should have a second chance. There are experiences I don't want to remember. There are two ways of going: you either go under or get stronger."

Through it all, there has indeed been a stoicism to Adams, not all down to his shyness in speaking about himself. Perhaps watching his father Alex play on Hackney Marshes in wind and rain as a small boy formed an uncomplaining nature. "I remember all the taunting and baiting along the donkey lines," said his former Arsenal colleague Brian Marwood. "It would have been soul-destroying to a lesser man but Tony would not let it affect him."

Adams's only criticisms are reserved for the tabloid press, who have often taken an interest in his out-of-hours socialising. On plane trips home after European games, he has issued over the intercom some gauche words; forgiveable,since we who give it should be able to take it. Indeed, he has, admirably, refused large offers for an account of his time in prison. As a counterpoint, there is some self- deprecating humour. "I thought it was offside," he once said of a goal conceded. "But then I always do."

Off the field, he remains an unassuming figure. "I was talking to Tony Donnelly, the old Arsenal kit man," said Frank McLintock, captain of the double-winning side of 1971 and the player with whom Adams, for leadership qualities, has been most compared. "He said to me, 'Frank, you would have loved him. He's like a throwback. He just gets on with his job. He's no bother'. A man's man. No airs and graces."

On it, he is, at 28, in his prime and Arsenal will soon need to complement him with new personnel beyond the thirtysomethings who no longer form the most effective defence in the English game. "I think he has improved in two areas," said Howe. "He has learnt under the new interpretation of the laws when to intercept in front of an attacker rather than tackle from behind. His distribution has also got better. He knows when to keep it simple, when to play it short or long, across the back or into midfield.

"He understands back four play inside out," added Howe. "When to push up, when to step back, when to put a foot in, when to withdraw. And of course he is strong in the air because he's a big lad." He takes goals conceded personally, said Marwood. "George Graham used to work a lot with the back four and if we conceded one, Tony wanted to know why. It was an insult. Was it something they hadn't worked on or was it a mistake?"

It is, added Marwood, the leadership-and-inspiration factor above all that sets apart Adams, who has captained every team he ever played for - from Romford Juniors up. "When you saw him at set pieces diving in among the studs and boots, prepared to risk everything for the club, you knew you owed it as well. You can sum him up in three words: spirit, character, discipline."

Adams himself is aware of his limitations as a footballer. "For me the game doesn't really vary that much. I'm there to head the ball out when it comes into our box and if there's a forward coming through then I expect to put myself between that forward and the goal.

"You can get carried away with all that talk about ball-playing centre-halves. I've heard it so many times down the years. Much of it is unrealistic. If the ball is there to be brought out, then I'll bring it out and try to use it. I've worked on that over the years and I hope people have noticed that I can do it but obviously there are other people in the team better equipped to go forward."

Before last year's final in Copenhagen, it was thought that Adams and co might struggle against Parma's lively front three of Tomas Brolin, Gianfranco Zola and Faustino Asprilla. It hardly happened. A similarly sharp challenge is presented by Zaragoza's Argentinian Juan Esnaider, Uruguayan Gustavo Poyet and Nayim. The main - slightly worrying - difference this time is that Arsenal are favourites.

You sense, though, that Adams will let none of that intrude, that professionalism will prevail. "I just want to be respected," he said. Grudging it may be, given some of his on-field mannerisms - often more seal than donkey as he annoyingly applauds co-operative linesmen - but he is dangerously close to being accorded that respect.