Steve Coppell resigned from the post after taking the club to the second division play-off final last season. Earlier today there were reports that Adams had applied for the job, and had been turned down by chairman Ron Noades (who is said to be close to appointing former Wimbledon player Wally Downes).

The stories prompted the Arsenal skipper to ring the Evening Standard to deny it.

Adams has just come back from a break in the south of France, and the Standard speculate that he is to announce his retirement this season, but will stay at Arsenal in a coaching role.