Former Arsenal skipper Tony Adams slots in at centre-back – no need to explain

WITH no football being played, you have to hand it to the BBC for at least trying to keep Saturday night coverage going, even if this now means Alan Shearer video-calling Ian Wright and Gary Lineker to discuss who their top ten Premier League managers of all time are.

Shearer stares into his laptop, his home showing no signs of art, ornaments or decoration – a bedroom like a peach hotel foyer. Wrighty, the opposite, too much if anything, every inch of the wall with memorabilia. And Lineker, sitting in front of his golden boots.

This is what we are left with, timeless “who’s better than who?” debates, fantasy elevens and Wrighty shouting “no Al, come on man” at the expressionless Geordie.

For local discussion, I’ve got my all-time Premier League Arsenal XI ready for you in a balanced but improbable 4-3-1-2 formation. No need to video call me, it’s a travesty but this column is yet to win an award, so I have nothing for my own shelfie background to sit in front of.

Goalkeeper: David Seaman. Looped by Nayim, but he’s never been replaced.

Right-back: Lauren. A better all-round player than Lee Dixon. No own goals from the halfway line.

Left-back: Nigel Winterburn. Nutty, because I can’t think of anybody else who has played well in that position.

Centre-back: Sol Campbell (above). Simply for crossing the floor so beautifully.

Centre-back: Tony Adams. Do not need to explain.

Centre-midfield: Patrick Vieira. The best midfielder ever to play in the Premier League. Also never been replaced.

Centre-midfield: Santi Cazorla (above). Wasn’t an Invincible, but would’ve been comfortable in their company.

Centre-midfield: David Rocastle. He didn’t really play in the Premier League for Arsenal (one year out), but goes in any XI at any time. Rocky, always.

Free role: Robert Pires (above). He captures a time when you knew Arsenal would win – and win stylishly.

Centre-forward: Ian Wright. I’m going Wrighty over Bergy, just. Bergkamp was a joy but we could’ve all avoided Giggs’ hairy chest if he had scored that penalty.

Centre-forward: Thierry Henry. Perfect.