The A-Z of a top Gunner . . .

Ais for the three A's - Anthony Alexander Adams - in his name and the two A's - Alcoholics Anonymous - where he attended counselling which he details in his autobiography, Addicted.

Bis for booze. "A session would probably be about 20 pints. In the evenings I could do a couple of bottles of wine on top . . . I thought wetting the bed, which was becoming more frequent for me, was my body's way of dealing with it."

Cis for Caprice. The supermodel who dated Adams after the pair met on Ian Wright's TV chat show. "She is a lovely woman . . . It's very difficult trying to sustain a relationship, though, when both people have demanding professions."

Dis for donkey. The taunt levelled at him by rival fans. The day after Adams had scored at both ends at Manchester United, he was depicted in a tabloid with a pair of donkey's ears. "I was really hurt," he admitted. "In our next away match so many carrots were thrown that I could have opened a fruit and veg stall."

Eis for England. The Arsenal star won 66 caps and scored five goals before retiring after Kevin Keegan's last match in charge against Germany in 2000.

Fis for final competitive appearance - against Chelsea in the FA Cup Final.

He missed the Double-clinching victory at Manchester United days later.

Gis for George Graham, the Arsenal manager who made Adams captain at 21 but who failed to deal with the player's drinking excesses. "Perhaps he could have been tougher on me."

His for Hornby. Fever Pitch details the author Nick Hornby's agony in the build-up to Arsenal's last-gasp victory at Anfield which secured Adams's first League title in 1989. Adams prepared for the match by going on a marathon drinking session with Niall Quinn. "I laugh now when I see the film of Fever Pitch. There was half of north London and beyond fretting about the title race and me, the team's captain, on a bender."

Iis for the interests he developed after giving up alcohol. . . He started reading poetry, went to the theatre and began learning the piano and French.

Jis for jail. Adams spent four months in Chelmsford Prison in 1990 after being convicted of drink driving.

Kis for Keown. They trained together as 13-year-olds and went on to play at youth and reserve-team level before breaking into the first team. They were still playing together last season.

Lis for Littlewoods Cup . . . the first trophy won by the defender after Charlie Nicholas struck twice at Wembley to defeat Liverpool in 1987.

Mis for Morrow . . . the journeyman Arsenal defender who Adams accidentally dropped to the Wembley turf, shattering his arm and dislocating his shoulder, after the 1993 Coca-Cola Cup Final victory.

Nis for nine. The number of major trophies Adams lifted as captain (League 1989, '91, '98, 2002, FA Cup, '93, '98, 2002, League Cup '93, European Cup Winners' Cup '94).

Ois for Oliver. His only son. He also has a daughter Amber and a stepdaughter Clare.

Pis for Pizza Hut. Where Adams and Ray Parlour sprayed abusive Spurs fans with a fire extinguisher during a 1993 visit to their local eaterie in Hornchurch.

Qis for the Queen, who presented Adams with the MBE at Buckingham Palace in 1999.

Ris for Romford. Where Adams was born on 10 October, 1966. He went to school at nearby Eastbrook Comprehensive in Dagenham.

Sis for six hundred and 68. The number of appearances he made for Arsenal, second only to another Arsenal centre-back, David O'Leary.

Tis for testimonials. The centre-back had two. The first, against Crystal Palace in 1994, was poorly attended, and the second, against Celtic after the Gunners secured the Double in May, was a sell-out. He gave half the proceeds to his charity, Sporting Chance, which helps footballers addicted to alcohol and drugs.

Uis for Upton Park. He supported West Ham as a youngster and trained there before signing for Arsenal as a schoolboy.

Vis for V sign. Adams was reported to the police in November 1990 for making the gesture at Queens Park Rangers fans and was fined pounds 1,000 by the FA for bringing the game into disrepute.

Wis for World Cup. Adams made the initial squad of 26 for Italia '90 but was then left out by Bobby Robson.

After being told to keep himself in shape he went on a "weeklong bender to Rhodes". At France '98 he was the first player to see David Beckham in the changing room after the United star had been sent off against Argentina.

Adams said: "Don't apologise. It happens. I love you. Keep that chin up."

Xis for X-rays. The defender was a regular in Gary Lewin's treatment room over the years. Adams's back caused him problems in the final years of his career when he also suffered from knee, foot and ankle injuries.

Yis for yellow cards. The defender was booked 45 times in his Arsenal career.

He was sent off four times.

Zis for Zaragoza. The Spanish club who inflicted one of Adams's most painful defeats when former Spurs man Nayim scored from the halfway line in the last minute of extra-time in the 1995 European Cup Winners' Cup

Copyright 2002
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