Former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson has publicly celebrated a significant personal milestone, announcing he has now been sober for seven years.
A Heartfelt Social Media Announcement
The football legend, now 57, shared the uplifting news via a video message posted on his official Twitter account. In his post, Merson expressed profound gratitude to everyone who has supported him throughout his challenging journey.
He wrote: “7 years sober today. thank u to everyone who as supported and helped me this far one day at a time.” Speaking directly to the camera, he elaborated on his feelings.
“Hi everybody, hope everybody is well. I just want to share that I’m seven years sober today and I just want to thank everybody that’s helped me along the way,” Merson said.
He candidly acknowledged the difficult path, stating: “Some real dark days, bad days but they have been majorly outweighed by the good days.” He concluded his message with a reminder to “live in the day.”
The Turning Point in His Battle
Paul Merson has been open about his lifelong struggles with addiction, primarily alcoholism and gambling. He has previously recounted the pivotal moment that sparked his current period of sobriety, which began in January 2019.
In a past interview with Sky Sports, Merson described the night he decided to change. “January 16th, last year [2019], I was walking home from the British Legion on a Sunday evening and it was about 11pm, and I thought, 'I've had enough of feeling like this every day of my life',” he revealed.
He emphasised that this decision came from within, unlike previous attempts at treatment. “I'd been into treatment twice before... And it was like I was being forced to go, it wasn't me,” he explained. The next day, he contacted Alcoholics Anonymous, and with their support, he has not had a drink since.
A Storied Career and New Chapter
Merson remains a legendary figure at Arsenal, where he made 417 appearances and scored 99 goals between 1985 and 1997. His trophy haul with the Gunners includes:
- Two First Division titles
- The FA Cup
- The League Cup
- The European Cup Winners’ Cup
After leaving North London, he played for Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, and Walsall, and earned 21 caps for England.
Since retiring from playing, Merson has forged a successful media career, becoming a familiar and respected pundit on Sky Sports. His openness about his recovery continues to inspire fans and highlight the realities of addiction beyond the glamour of professional sport.
