'He saved my life' - Paul Merson pays tribute to 'Mr Arsenal'

Arsenal life president Ken Friar, who died this week, began his career at the club aged 11 in 1945 as a messenger.

The screen shows a tribute to the late Ken Friar during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and LOSC Lille at Arsenal Stadium on October 13, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Paul Merson says Arsenal life president Ken Friar, who died this week, aged 92, saved his life.

Friar began his career at the club aged 11 in 1945 as a messenger after a chance meeting with manager George Allison.

He became club secretary in 1973 and managing director in 1983 before later playing a leading role in the Gunners’ move from Highbury to Emirates Stadium.

In 2011, the bridge which connects the stadium to Arsenal tube station was renamed The Ken Friar Bridge.

Friar remained on the club’s board until stepping down as an executive director in 2020 and becoming life president.

Merson, who played for Arsenal from 1985 to 1997, saw his career put on hold in 1994 when he admitted his addictions to alcohol, cocaine and gambling.

Paying tribute to Friar on Sky Soccer Saturday, Merson said: "Well, he saved my life back in 1994. He made me go into a treatment centre when I was involved with what I was doing.

"He was the one who pulled me. So, for me, amazing man.

"I couldn't talk highly enough of him and he's Mr Arsenal. I'll always be thankful to him."

Writing in his book, How Not to be a Professional Footballer, Merson admits he considered suicide before an encounter with Friar at the club.

"I drove into Highbury the next morning and saw Ken Friar, one of the club directors. I got him in his office. It was confession time. ‘I’m struggling here,’ I said. ‘I need help. I owe thousands and thousands of pounds in gambling debts. I’m in serious trouble.’ 

"Ken looked shocked, and I hadn’t even dropped the mother of all bombs yet. ‘And I’m addicted to drugs,’ I whispered. ‘Cocaine.’ 

"I was the biggest football scandal of the decade, maybe the century, and Arsenal were now slap bang in the middle of it. 

"Ken was blown away, but fair play to him, he kept calm. ‘Right,’ he said. ‘We’re going to sort you out. We’re going to get you help.’"

With the help of the Professional Footballers' Association, Merson underwent a treatment programme before returning to play for Arsenal and England.

A minute's silence was held on Saturday afternoon ahead of Arsenal's WSL clash with Birmingham City at Emirates Stadium, while the players wore black armbands, just as the men's side did for Tuesday's Champions League tie at home to Lille. 

“I had the privilege and honour to meet him, spend time with him and learn from him," manager Mikel Arteta said, after that game. "There are people in football clubs who fulfil a role, and there are other people that create an identity, have values and a vision for the future of the football club, and Ken’s legacy will live on forever.

“I want his relatives and family to know that the way we feel about him can be anything other than extraordinary. I am sure he is very happy to see how the boys played tonight and that victory is for him. I know how proud he is about what we have built.”

Club great Dennis Bergkamp also paid tribute to Friar on Instagram. "A true gentleman, full of class, who embodied everything Arsenal stands for. I will always cherish the special bond we shared, built on mutual respect. Thank you for everything, Mr Friar. Rest in peace."

Merson added: "I think you can see that by the Instagram with Dennis Bergkamp and people like that, phenomenal man, phenomenal."

Ireland and Arsenal great, Liam Brady, in his book Born to be a Footballer, described Friar as the club's 'greatest employee'.

"Ken is, in my view, Arsenal’s greatest employee. He served the club for more than 70 years. The Ken Friar Bridge, joining Emirates Stadium to the Arsenal underground station, is fitting tribute to a man who is Arsenal to the core."

“Since our formation in 1886, there have been many inspirational individuals who have driven our club forward, but no one has had an influence on Arsenal Football Club quite like ‘Mr Friar’,” the club said in a tribute on its website.

“He leaves an extraordinary life of service to the club as his legacy. One that will surely never be matched.”

Further tributes will take place when Arsenal host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, October 24.

With agencies