- Pat Rice spent 41 years with Arsenal across his playing and coaching career
- Rice was Arsene Wenger’s No 2 during Emmanuel Petit’s three years at the club
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Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit was forced to apologise when he wrongly claimed Gunners legend Pat Rice was dead, live on TV.
Petit, 54, made 118 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2000, with the Frenchman helping Arsene Wenger’s side to complete a historic double in the 1997-98 season.
The former midfielder later represented Chelsea and Barcelona, while he also won the World Cup with France in 1998.
Petit was a studio guest on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football for Chelsea’s clash against Wolves – but the 54-year-old was guilty of making an embarrassing error.
As he was reliving his fondest moments with the Gunners and talking about Rice, Petit said: ‘He had some fights with Pat Rice as well, rest in peace Pat.’
However, host David Jones quickly interrupted Petit, revealing that Rice was in fact not dead.
Emmanuel Petit was forced to apologise when he wrongly claimed that Pat Rice was dead
Former France midfielder Petit (left) made 118 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2000
Rice, who is an Arsenal legend, was the Gunners’ assistant boss during Petit’s time at the club
‘I’ve got some good news, Pat Rice sends his best,’ Jones said. ‘He’s not actually no longer with us. He’s alive and kicking.’
Jamie Carragher burst out laughing following the incident, before Petit was forced to apologise as the trio all saw the funny side of the Frenchman’s bizarre gaffe.
‘I’m sorry! Sorry Pat. I’m confused,’ the Frenchman added. ‘I’m so sorry Pat. Pat, I made a mistake, sorry.’
Rice, 75, appeared nearly 400 times for Arsenal between 1967 to 1980, winning a First Division title and two FA Cups, before he went onto represent Watford.
The right back, who also won 49 caps for Northern Ireland, retired in 1984 and joined the Gunners as a youth team coach.
He spent 12 years in that role and, following a short stint as caretaker boss in 1996, Rice was Arsene Wenger’s No 2 for 16 years.
The Gunners won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups during that period, with Steve Bould replacing Rice in 2012 when he decided to step down.
That capped 41 years at the club in a variety of roles and following the news, Wenger paid tribute to Rice.
Host Dave Jones reminded Petit that Rice was still alive as Jamie Carragher burst out laughing
Rice (left) is an Arsenal legend and worked as Arsene Wenger’s No 2 between 1996 and 2012
‘Pat is a true Arsenal legend and has committed almost his whole life to Arsenal Football Club, which shows huge loyalty and devotion to this club,’ Wenger said.
‘I will always be indebted to him for his expert insight into Arsenal and football as a whole.
‘On the training pitches and on matchdays, Pat has always been a passionate, loyal and insightful colleague, who we will all miss.’
Rice was admitted to hospital for cancer treatment in 2013, but following his recovery, he worked as a scout for the Gunners until August 2020, while he was also awarded an MBE for his services to sport in 2013.
