Paul Merson

[SteveO 35]

Haven't read the book but if anyone finds it surprising what he got away with and hasn't read Tony Adams book 'Addicted', I suggest they do. How Big Tone carried on at the levels he did with how he was living his life off the field was absolutely amazing

[SammyDroppedHisShorts]

Grew up on same estate as Merse in Northolt, Smiths Farm, he lived on Farrier Road and I lived 100 yards away in Horseshoe Crescent. his brothers Keith and Gary were pretty decent players too..Keith is a year older than me and Gary two years younger, we had some cracking kickabouts at the Old Kensington and Chelsea playing fields that are now the Northolt mounds.

I remember when Paul had just signed his first pro contract we were all buzzing and decided to go over to KenChel to play footsie, he came over and got stuck in chipping me from about 50 yards into a five a-side goal we had built out of old crossbars and netting. What a goal it was, it was later seen by David Rocastle at Villa Park at around Christmas 1988 ... My mate Paul.....without footie who knows what he would have been, it was all he had.....

[LeftfootlegendGooner]

Well he has just gone up in my estimation, on Gillette soccer Saturday he was going on about the Liverpool spurs game and finished it off with "I don't even like tottenham"

[northbank123]

One thing he's always seemed quite adamant about is that he doesn't really like the Scum.

[nut flush gooner]

What were your best and worst moments as an Arsenal player?
Gooner Harris, London

I liked the Liverpool '89 thing, but my best moment would have been beating Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley [1993], and my worst moment would have been losing to Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley [1991]. I don't like Tottenham.

Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/pau ... 5b0KTJE.99

The blokes a total legend imo. Love him and charlie on soccer saturday. He's not a turncoat like alan smith, he still loves the club and always see's things from our viewpoint/

[LeftfootlegendGooner]

What were your best and worst moments as an Arsenal player?
Gooner Harris, London

I liked the Liverpool '89 thing, but my best moment would have been beating Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley [1993], and my worst moment would have been losing to Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley [1991]. I don't like Tottenham.

Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/pau ... 5b0KTJE.99

The blokes a total legend imo. Love him and charlie on soccer saturday. He's not a turncoat like alan smith, he still loves the club and always see's things from our viewpoint/

Yeah agree, I like them both and they both seem to want what's best for Arsenal, thanks for the link, I shall read that.

[Poldi's Brother]

Is it a better read than Perry Grove's book? Loved that

[northbank123]

Rock Bottom was a good read, honest (although not on the same level as Addicted). His book of anecdotes had some quite amusing lines in it but reading the phrase "lorryload of pints" every other page gets a bit boring. It's a massive case of cashing in on his Soccer Saturday persona which doesn't particularly appeal to me.

We sold Merson the summer before I started going regularly to Arsenal as a kid so his career was a bit before my time. But from what I've seen him write and say he certainly doesn't seem to have the same affinity towards the club as other players from that generation. And that's not at all based on the fact that occasionally he will throw the odd criticism towards Wenger or the club.

I got the impression that Merson didn't feel particularly grateful towards the club, that he had earned his own success. Which may be fair enough if he hadn't spent a huge chunk of his career at us pissed or coked off his head and the club hadn't treated him so well. If a modern day player pissed off to the Championship 'for the money' after being offered a well-paid two-year contract and promise of an important role in the squad at a top club what would the reaction be?

I'd say he has a soft spot for us but personally don't think he loves the club, certainly not in the same way as a fan.