 Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Muzhizha ra1997, Merson akasiya Gunners kuti asayine Middlesbrough yakadzikiswa pamubhadharo unonzi unofungidzirwa kuva 4.5million. Merson akati akanga apiwa chibvumirano chitsva kuArsenal asi akachiramba nokuda kwechibvumirano chakareba nemari yakakwirira kuMiddlesbrough. Paakaudza Arsene Wenger nezvechisarudzo chake, Merson anoti Wenger akamuudza kuti aizobhadharwa zvakanyanya kuMiddlesbrough kupfuura Dennis Bergkamp akabhadharwa kuArsenal. Merson akaita mutambo wake wekutanga weBoro mukukunda kwezuva rekuvhura pamusoro peCharlton Athletic mukukunda 21. Akaita basa rinokosha mukubatsira Boro kudzokera kuPremier League uye akatumidzwa zita remadunhurirwa nevateveri se The Magic Man. Chimiro chaMerson neBoro chakamupawo nzvimbo muEngland squad ye1998 FIFA World Cup muFrance. Paaiva kuMiddlesbrough akatamba mu1998 Football League Cup Final. Pakutanga kwemwaka wa199899, Merson akataura kuti aive kumba achirwara uye aida kudzokera kuSouth. Middlesbrough gare gare akabvuma chikumbiro chaMerson uye akatengeswa kuAston Villa kwe 6.75million. 