Aussie
Established Member
In the current era of World Football where loyalty is about as common as a world class performance from Pascal Cygan I find it fitting to have a brief look back on the life of one of Arsenals most loyal players. Rice not only spent most of his footballing days at Arsenal he has spent the majority of his life at Highbury. He shares the honor along with Bob Wilson of being involved in all three of the clubs doubles, 1971 as a player and 1998 and 2002 as assistant coach to Arsène Wenger. For over 40 years Pat Rice has had the blood of Arsenal surging through his veins and is seen by many as the clubs greatest ever captain.
Born in Belfast however he grew up in London and he joined Arsenal as a youth in 1964. It was to be the beginning of one of the longest and most distinguished Arsenal careers in the History of the club. Just like much of the youth today he made his debut in the Red and White in the League Cup against Burnley in 1967. That was to be the first of 528 games for The Arsenal.
Right throughout the 70’s Rice made the RB position his own and was eventually given the one of the greatest honors in Football, the captaincy of Arsenal. He was instrumental in the 1971 Double season and played in 63 of the 64 games that year. He was never afraid to push forward and did manage to net 12 goals during his playing days at Arsenal.
He would never hold back as a player and would never back out of tackle which would always be coming in fast and furious while he was on the pitch.
In 1972 Rice was to experience his first FA Cup final defeat when Arsenal were to go down to Leeds in the final. It was a pain which he was to experience a further two times as the captain of Arsenal. However in between the second and third FA Cup final defeat Pat Rice led Arsenal to victory in the 5 minute final of 1979. Rice was then the only survivor from the 1971 double team to play in the 1979 FA Cup final.
In 1981 his 17 year Arsenal playing career was over when he moved to Watford. A playing career of over 500 games for The Arsenal was over, however that was far from his last contribution for the Gunners.
Pat Rice then returned to Arsenal in 1984 as coach and took charge of the youth set up at Highbury. Rice was to be youth team coach for the next 12 years and in that time he led the Arsenal youth team to FA Cup glory in 1988 and 1994. Rice proved himself to be a very good coach and was extremely good with the younger players.
Rice then in 1996 briefly to charge as the caretaker manager of Arsenal after the sacking of Bruce Roich and the resignation of Stewart Houston. Arsène Wenger arrived at the end of the month and Pat Rice became his assistant. Rice was to provide a crucial link from Arsenals illustrious past to Wengers new Arsenal. Since then Rice played a big part in the three league championships and four FA Cup titles Arsenal have won. Come game day he becomes the voice of Wenger which is something that stems back from his playing days. We can constantly hear Rice on the sidelines yelling advice and encouragement to the players. Pat Rice joined Arsenal in 1964 as a youth player now he guiding some of Europe’s best young talent through the ranks at Highbury as a coach 40 years on.
Pat Rice, Arsenal Legend.
