[Brodie Bruce]

I was at the game on Saturday and during our celebrations, one thing really stood out: the behaviour of Pat Rice. The way he took the time to go to every single Chelsea player and representative to shake their hand and offer condolences was just the classiest thing about the Cup Final. Pat Rice epitomises Arsenal. A great sense of the right thing to do.

If everyone was more like Pat Rice (in particular a certain Man Utd managet) then the game would be better for it.

BB

 

[GarethUK]

He steadied the ship when Houston jumped in 1996, and I was happily surprised when 'Arsene who?' decided to keep him on when he joined the club.

I'm sure he'd be able to take control Phil Thompson-style, he is certainly vocal on the touch-line, and he was a distinguished player with us as well...

 

[Eoin_C]

Top bloke. Also good to see a lot of the backroom staff on the pitch with the players. Everyone plays their part and it shows what a happy camp Arsenal is right now, and I have no doubt Pat has a lot to do with it.

 

[Goonermc]

He is a great assistant manager and not only does he motivate the players, and consolidate the Chelsea players, he also gets the Arsenal fans pumped up at the side of the pitch and before the games by ordering them to make some noise. Great person to have at Arsenal.

 

[JLE]

Pat Rice= Star

Simple as that.

 

[Bastin]

When Arsène came, I think Pat acted as a go-between, between the boss and the defence. Wenger didn't realise the strengths of the defence, i.e. teamwork, understanding, friendship, as most other defences were based upon great individual defenders. With the exception of Tony Adams, we didn't have one of them...

Wenger wasn't aware of that aspect of the Arsenal team, and Pat wasn't aware of the style with which Wenger wanted the team to play (cavalier, all-or-nothing, attacking football). So, Pat helped Arsène adapt to the English game, and Arsène helped Pat adapt to the European game.

Though I don't doubt Wenger's abilities (I think that he's the best in the world), I think that without Pat Rice there as assistant, he wouldn't have revitalised the older aspects of the squad.

Also, being Arsenal through-and-through has its bonuses.

 

[Beechy]

is it the same pat rice that coached in the NBA???

 

[Chris]

I extremely doubt that!

 

[Beechy]

well u never know with the amount of crap spoken in here

bloody goooooooooooooooooooooners

 

[Swiftwilly]

Beechy : that isnt nice to say
:tongue:

pat rice has done a great job. i have always seen him on the bench with arsene and he looks top notch. a true assistant manager
i wouldnt mind if he takes over arsenal...
....after wenger

 

[Chris]

Heh heh don't worry he's just jealous

 

[Swiftwilly]

just cose he doesnt chew gum during a match doesnt mean his bad