Arsenal: 30 Greatest Players Of All Time

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25. Paul Merson

The enigmatic Paul Merson. Often in the papers for the wrong reasons. But on the field, a maverick. Talented, maybe wasted, but successful. A legend of the game, a mercurial midfielder who saw the field as a blank canvas and his feet as paintbrushes. Merson was capable of sheer brilliance and is still considered to have not delivered on such great potential. Off-field issues have plagued his career, and it is often what he is remembered for. But the quality he displayed on the field should not be undermined.

Perhaps the biggest indication of Merson’s talent was his longevity through various managers. Developed under Frank McLintock in the mid-1980s, Merson went on to play under five different managers, all rating him as a starting midfielder throughout his time in London. Such unanimous support for the Londoner displays the talent he possessed.

Merson played in a total of 416 games for the Gunners, scoring 99 goals and creating many more. However, his darkest days occurred in November 1994, when Merson, after numerous accusations, admitted to alcohol, cocaine and gambling addictions. Such off-field issues had begun to paralyze the midfielder’s talent. After attending a three-month rehabilitation center, Merson was able to return to the side in February 1995. While addictions plagued him off the field, his talent on the field will always be remembered, and such talent alone places him among the Arsenal greats.

Next: 24. David Rocastle