Adams captained Arsenal to two Premier League titles, as well as the old First Division.
He also helped the side to three FA Cups and has a statue outside the Emirates.
After retirement, the former defender went into management, taking charge at Feyenoord and Portsmouth.
He was named manager of La Liga outfit Granada in 2017, though lasted just seven games as the club were relegated.
Adams even asked former Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis if there were any roles at the club but was turned away.
And while it doesn’t look like he will return to the club he did so much for, Adams has revealed he doesn’t support Arsenal, even now.
“I did good work there.” Adams told the Times.
“I went a couple of times. If they don’t think I can contribute . . . I think I can.
“It doesn’t look like it’s my path. I’m not sitting here for the rest of my life, saying, ‘Oh I want to get back to Arsenal, please, please.’ I’d be in daily turmoil if I lived like that.
“It’s like an ex-girlfriend: 16 years trying to get back with a girl, get the message, mate, move on. It doesn’t hurt me.
“I just wish my ex-girlfriend all the luck in the world! If it comes to a time when she wants to employ me again, then Hallelujah.
“We are going New Year’s Day [v Fulham]. The kids all love Arsenal.
“I was never a fan, so it was different, I worked there. I was never a fan of any club.
“I loved playing it, that was my escape. It was like alcohol. I never liked the taste but I drank it like it was going out of fashion.
“I loved what football did to me.
“The game’s changed. A lot of fans today go to see their team win when back in the day when I played they used to go to support the team, win or lose, it didn’t matter, that’s your local team and you supported it. It’s a different animal today.”