5 most influential players in Arsenal's history

#4 Pat Rice

Rice ended his tenure as assistant manager at Arsenal when he retired in 2012

Spending 44 years in total at the club, not many people have had such an influence at Arsenal like Northern Irishman Pat Rice.

He joined Arsenal as an apprentice in 1964, before eventually becoming a professional in 1966 and making his debut for the Gunners a year later. Although he got his debut at just 18 years of age, it would take three seasons before he became the first choice right-back, and what a season it was.

In that season, the Gunners did the double, winning the First Division and the FA Cup, and it was the beginning of 10 years where Rice would be first choice right-back.

Unfortunately for Rice, his medals did not represent his impact as a player at Arsenal, as he claimed just one more FA Cup win. However, he did win the Arsenal Player of the Year award in 1972 and is only one of only three Arsenal players to play in five FA Cup finals.

But like George Graham, his contribution to the club didn’t end at being an Arsenal player, as he returned as a youth team coach before he eventually became assistant to Wenger.

As an assistant, Rice saw his beloved Arsenal win three Premier League trophies and three FA Cups, all of which he had a helping hand in, being the Frenchman’s calming influence on the sideline for every game.