MY PERFECT XI MATTHEW UPSON

The Birmingham and West Ham stalwart retraces his Arsenal breakthrough days and England team-mates

- Simon Yaffe

DAVID SEAMAN

“He had a presence and calmness greater than any other keeper I played with. He controlled his 18-yard box to a top level. David was a great talker and an all-round super bloke. You knew you were safe with him behind you.”

LEE DIXON

“As a fullback, certainly in that era, defending was number one. Lee did that as well as anyone for positioning and checking his surroundings. Plus he could also get forward and support, and he was a lovely guy on top.”

MARTIN KEOWN

“The most competitive player that I played with. I’d be chatting with him off the pitch having a nice conversation, then he'd smash into you as soon as a training game started. Once he was on the grass he had an edge to him, and he was physically superb.”

TONY ADAMS

“What a presence Tony was. He had unbelievable self-belief and owned it, whether that was in training, in the dressing room or on the pitch. He was a top captain. He had his demons and that made him vulnerable, but still a fierce leader.”

ASHLEY COLE