Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterIn 1996, Arsenal were in a bit of disarray - and their iconic captain Tony Adams almost left the club as a result.The highly-successful, if divisive, George Graham had been dismissed the year before following the bung scandal, in which the Gunners boss admitted of receiving an 'unsolicited gift' from an agent.In finishing fifth the following season under Bruco Rioch, Arsenal did show some signs of bouncing back from a disappointing 12th-place finish and the heartbreak of defeat in the Cup Winners' Cup final as they failed to retain the trophy.Tony Adams: "Fergie phoned me - I told Arsenal I was gone"But Rioch was himself dismissed just before the beginning of the 1996/97 season, in part because of a dispute over transfers.And Adams told FourFourTwo that prior to the appointment of the unknown Arsene Wenger, he got a phone call from ever-opportunistic Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to try and lure him to Old Trafford. You may like Tony Adams: "Liam Gallagher bought my house - but I had to take my cannons!" "Sir Alex Ferguson crossed a line, and therein lies the difference between me and him, thats how he won 13 league titles and I won none" Kevin Keegan on Newcastle United's 1995/96 Premier League challenge 30 years on from the 'Love it' rant Liam Gallagher bought my house! Tony Adams on his �4m property deal with the Oasis frontman Adams promptly had a sit-down meeting with the Arsenal chairman, explaining: I went in to see Peter Hill-Wood. I said: Whats your ambition for the club?"He said: No problem, Tony, weve got a good man on the way, alls good.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."But Fergie had been on the phone saying: 'Come up here, you havent got a manager, youre all over the place."I said Look, Peter... Im gone."However, Arsenal ultimately pulled out the stops to show their captain just how ambitious they were - including holding onto him. What to read next 'I was on the verge of going to Arsenal but I couldnt say no to Sevilla - it caused friction with Unai Emery' Director opens up on how he almost moved to North London John Obi Mikel opens up on his transfer tug of war with Chelsea and the Red Devils "Keep saying it, keep saying it, keep saying it" Sean Dyche reveals the brilliant bit of advice Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson gave him that helped Burnley win promotion Adams said: "My wages got trebled, Arsene came in and the rest is history I stayed put."Im so grateful that it happened that way and I didnt go to pastures new."I was able to lift more trophies for the Arsenal, do a couple more Doubles and retire as a one-club player. Im very proud of that.Adams book 1996: Reflections On The Year That Changed My Life is available nowTOPICSTony AdamsSir Alex FergusonArsenalManchester UnitedSteven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
