Pat Rice: Cancer diagnosis for Arsenal and Northern Ireland great

Former Northern Ireland and Arsenal defender Pat Rice has been admitted to hospital after being diagnosed with cancer.

Rice, 64, made 528 appearances for the Gunners and was assistant manager to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for 16 years before retiring in 2012.

The full-back also made 49 appearances for Northern Ireland.

"We can sadly confirm Pat Rice is in hospital receiving treatment for cancer," said an Arsenal statement.

"Everyone at Arsenal Football Club sends him our best wishes. Our thoughts are with Pat and his family."

Rice played 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.

Wenger hailed the work of Rice upon his retirement in 2012 and the Northern Ireland man was appointed an MBE in this year's New Year's Honours list.

"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 of Rice's retirement.

"I will always be indebted to him for his expert insight."