Adams was an Arsenal player for 19 years until his retirement in 2002 and was worshipped by the fans, but having lost three straight Barclays Premier League games, he is refusing to let emotion get in the way.

The 4-1 defeat to West Ham yesterday was a showcase of poor defending which will be giving Adams, once a revered centre-back, nightmares.

Pompey have shipped 14 goals in their last six league games and Adams knows that figure will increase further at the Emirates unless there is a rapid improvement.

"We've been trying to win football games and getting done on counter-attacks and Arsenal are probably the best team in the country at counter-attacking," he said.

"So that's going to be very difficult for us and resources are low. We need to put things right quickly.

"It's never easy going there you've got to play them at some stage and in some ways maybe it's the perfect place to go.

"I worked at Arsenal for a long, long time and enjoyed every minute of it and I'm delighted and honoured that the fans respect me so much. I love that so much.

"But I'm working for another club at the moment and trying to win a football game so that's the context and perspective of it."

Adams has signalled his intention to bolster his squad in the January transfer window, but will not rush into making signings for the sake of it.

It is also unclear how much money he will have available, despite the £22million sale of midfielder Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid last week.

"I know I need a couple of reinforcements if I can," said Adams.

"But you've got to be very careful you don't panic and buy someone just for the short term. "It is all about results and the directors here have been totally supportive and the owner has been great.

"Around the country there's a short-termness and people want results so they panic buy. For the long-term good of the club I don't think it's appropriate for me to do that."

Arsenal's problems have been well documented this season and their title challenge was as good as over even before yesterday's 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.

But Adams is refusing to write them off and knows how hard it will be for his side to take something from tomorrow's game.

When it was suggested Arsenal might not finish in the top four this season, he replied: "You want a bet?

"Arsene's got a great squad there and I wouldn't mind a few of his players. They're a fantastic football club and they'll get a lot of points at the Emirates.

"They'll certainly be difficult to beat. I don't think it'll be a game where we lose it trying to win it.

"We're going to have to fight to get a result. The other teams that have gone there have really fought for every tackle, every header, every challenge and that's what you need to do.

"You need to be up for the challenge."