Paul Merson is a former professional footballer with Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Walsall, playing for some of the games most well known managers including George Graham, Bryan Robson, Graham Taylor, Harry Redknapp, Glenn Hoddle and Arsene Wenger. He was also capped 21 times by England, making his debut in 1991 against Germany and playing in both the 1992 Euro Championship and 1998 World Cup.
By the 1988–89 season he was a regular on the right wing, at the end of which Arsenal secured the First Division title in the final game of the season against Liverpool. Merson scored ten times that season, made his debut for the England Under-21 side, and was voted PFA Young Player of the Year. The most successful part of his playing career was during his time at Arsenal where he won 2 League Titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup winners' Cup
In 1997, Merson was sold to Middlesbrough in a £5m deal, which made him the most expensive player to ever be signed by a non-Premier League club. The following year he moved to Aston Villa, a club which was slightly closer to his family in the south of England, and helped them reach the final of the FA Cup in 2000.
Merson also represented England, making his debut for the Three Lions in 1991 against Germany. Also playing in the 1992 Euro Championship, 1994 World Cup and 1998 World Cup, he played 21 times for his country and scored on three occasions. The most successful part of his playing career was during his time at Arsenal where he won 2 League Titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup winners' Cup
In 2019 while appearing on the documentary Harry's Heroes: The Full English, Paul opened up about how his gambling addiction had affected his life, and his continued struggles with the addiction. He received praise for his candid discussion of the topic. Then in January 2020 he spoke about how his drink, drug and gambling habits also fuelled his struggles with his mental health. Since his revelations on television Paul has also now become much sought after to speak for companies and organisations about his addictions and mental health issues.
