Published: 3 January, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENAL legend Pat Rice said he was “delighted and honoured” after being awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.

Rice has enjoyed a rich 44-year association with the club, which saw him become a Double winner in 1971, captain the side to FA Cup glory in 1979 and go on to become assistant manager in 1996 alongside Arsene Wenger.

Rice said: “The news came as a complete surprise and I’m just so flattered to be included in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.
“Football and Arsenal have been my life and I have so many fantastic memories during my career.”

On learning of the news, Wenger said: “If someone deserves it, it’s Pat. Pat Rice is someone you could go to war with, and you would love to be in the trenches with him.”

As a right-back, Rice won 49 caps for Northern Ireland.