Removing trans linkage arm?

Basic question but I'm installing a new steering box and coupler with the coupler rebuild kit. As far as driving the pins and installing the grease seal on the input shaft coupler, it seems it would be much easier with column on a workbench but I can't pull column because of linkage arm(no longer needed) hitting firewall. So how does one go about removing the arm so I can pull column? Or does it come out the other way? Here's a pic