Arsenal legend Paul Merson facing up to three months away from Sky Sports Soccer Saturday role

PAUL MERSON is set to be away from his Soccer Saturday duties for up to three months while he competes on Strictly Come Dancing.

The Arsenal legend, 56, is a regular fixture on the Sky Sports show, becoming a much-loved, but brutally honest, pundit.

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He also makes cameos on Super Sunday and Sky’s Saturday evening coverage across the season.

But Merson has been announced as the latest celebrity to sign up to Strictly.

The show sees celebrities take to the ballroom every Saturday between its September start date and its Christmas final.

If Merson goes all the all the way in competition he could be away from his Sky duties for the duration of Strictly’s run.

And Arsenal fans will surely get fully behind him, as they did when club icon and skipper Tony Adams competed in 2022.

The BBC flagship show is filmed live every Saturday night, with celebrities also expected to train relentlessly throughout the week.

Given the channel would likely need several hours to set up every Saturday, Merson will likely need to step away from football for a while.

But the former England star has admitted he may struggle to get to grips with the dance floor, having danced just three times in his life.

He told The One Show: “I don’t like lying, I told my mum the other day so I’m pleased now. I would say the dancing will be nerve-wracking.

“I won’t worry about it until it starts. I’m not one of them people, I can’t be worrying about something that’s a month away.

“But I’m sure when it starts I’ll nervous, no doubt about it. I have only danced three times in my life, they were all at my wedding.

“But I will have a go – I play to win and it won’t be through lack of trying.

“I’m ready to swap the pitch for the Ballroom floor, so here’s hoping my two left feet can learn some moves and you never know, maybe I’ll be taking home the Glitterball Trophy!”