You cant be a member of the Arsenal fold without knowing Pat Rice, after serving the club for 44 glorious years, he just had to get stucked up on your face.. I call him the face of Arsenal! But sad news reaching us this morning, is that Pat has been hospitalised and Cancer is the diagnosis.
The 64 year old, who served the club in FIVE separate decades, joined the club in 1964 before retiring last year from his role as assistant to current boss Arsene Wenger.
Wenger hailed the work of Rice upon his retirement in 2012.
"Pat is a true Arsenal legend and has committed almost his whole life to Arsenal Football Club, which shows huge loyalty and devotion," the Frenchman said at the time.
"I will always be indebted to him for his expert insight."
He made 528 appearances for the Gunners over 14 seasons after joining the youth team, going on to win the league and FA Cup double in 1971 and captaining the side to further FA Cup success in 1979.
After a spell with Watford, he joined Arsenal as a youth team coach in 1984 before progressing to further coaching roles and enjoying great success as Wenger's assistant, winning seven trophies.
"Our thoughts are with Pat and his family. Everyone at Arsenal sends him our best wishes," an Arsenal spokesman told the Daily Mail.
We at Sportunes can only wish Mr Pat Rice all the best as he fights the greatest battle of his life.. And if you are reading this, you can take solace in all our sporting heroes past that have put this dreadful disease to shame (HERE).
Fans flooded twitter with messages of support;
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