- Paul Merson is an Arsenal legend, while he also represented several other clubs
- However, his allegiances as a supporter have only recently been discovered
- CHRIS SUTTON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a clown – It’s All Kicking Off!
Football fans have been left shocked after discovering who pundit Paul Merson supports.
Merson, 55, enjoyed a hugely impressive playing career before retiring in 2006 and embarking upon a career in the media.
After graduating from Arsenal’s academy, he played more than 300 times for the Gunners and similarly enjoyed successful spells with Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Walsall – who he also managed.
The former forward won 21 caps for England and represented the Three Lions at Euro 1992 and the 1998 World Cup.
It has never been quite clear who Merson – who is a regular on Sky Sports’ flagship football show Soccer Saturday – supports, with most assuming he has closest links to Arsenal, given his history at the club.
However, Merson’s allegiances have come to the fore over recent days following Tottenham’s 4-1 defeat to Chelsea on Monday in one of the most frenetic Premier League encounters of all time.
And it turns the former Arsenal academy graduate is actually a fan of Mauricio Pochettino’s side, leaving football fans across the UK in shock.
Merson’s love for the Blues has not been well known but ahead of their victory over Spurs, the pundit had said on Sky Sports: ‘I’m very confident for Chelsea on Monday night. I’ll be shocked if they lose.’
He received significant criticism for this prediction given Spurs’ previously unbeaten start and Chelsea’s early season struggles.
However, after the game concluded, he took to social media again and added: ”All them people that called me clueless, hope your off to bed. COYB,’ with the last part of that message referring to ‘Come on You Blues’ – a common call for Chelsea supporters.
Merson also replied to another fan who had criticised his prediction and said: ‘You will have to put up with me 4-1 more year at least. COYB.’
In fact, Mail Sport understands Merson is a season ticket holder behind the goal at Stamford Bridge and has been increasingly open with his love for Chelsea in recent months, with the former forward also spotted among their travelling fans at away games.
But his comments after Monday’s clash have caused shock among people far and wide after they realised who he supports.
One confused fan said: ‘Is Paul Merson a Chelsea fan?,’ while another added: ‘Paul Merson is a Chelsea fan?’
Further users chimed in as another quipped: ‘I’m still so baffled that Paul Merson is a Chelsea fan,’ while a further fan said: ‘Can someone explain to me how Paul Merson came through the Arsenal academy and then played 300+ senior games for them, and yet is openly a Chelsea fan?’
Meanwhile, other supporters couldn’t quite get their head around where Merson’s allegiances lie as another fan said: ‘I know he’s from west London. But Paul Merson a graduate of Arsenal’s academy and a man who spent 12 highly successful years there being a Chelsea Die Hard is the weirdest thing I see on a regular basis in football.’
Given his social media celebrations after Chelsea beat his former club’s arch-rivals in Tottenham, an extra supporter joked: ‘So weird to me now knowing Paul Merson is a Chelsea fan. Even weirder it seems to be bringing the fan bases together.’
Despite Monday’s defeat, Spurs remain 11 points clear of their London rivals and will look to return to winning ways with a trip to Wolves on Saturday, while Chelsea host Man City on Sunday.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
