Arsenal legend says team-mates tricked him into saying icon was dead on live TV

Emmanuel Petit was left red-faced last month when he mistakenly claimed Arsenal legend Pat Rice had passed away while live on TV – and he has now revealed some old team-mates played a trick on him

Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has claimed his former team-mates tricked him into thinking club legend Pat Rice had passed away – after saying “rest in peace” about the ex-coach while on live TV last month.

The Frenchman had appeared on Sky Sports in January to preview Chelsea’s clash against Wolves at Stamford Bridge before reflecting on his time in north London.

While speaking about his favourite memories of working under ex-boss Arsene Wenger and his assistant manager Rice, Petit said: “He had some fights with Pat Rice as well, rest in peace Pat.”

Sky Sports host David Jones later clarified that Rice was in fact alive and well, saying on the programme: “I’ve got some good news, Pat Rice sends his best. He’s not actually no longer with us. He’s alive and kicking.”

Petit was forced to make an apology live on air as he said: “I’m sorry! Sorry Pat. I’m confused. I’m so sorry Pat. Pat, I made a mistake, sorry.”

The 54-year-old, who played 118 times for the Gunners before enjoying spells with Barcelona and Chelsea, has since spoken out on the embarrassing slip and blamed some of his old Arsenal team-mates for making him think Rice had passed away.

Speaking to CasinoHawks, he said: “I haven’t spoken to Pat Rice but some of my former team-mates have been laughing about it but saying don’t worry Emmanuel.

“I was tricked by a few players a couple of months ago and I believed them, it’s my mistake for not checking up on what they said! I’m so grateful he’s still here. I apologised on TV and he knows that I love him and what we achieved together as a team is still in my mind forever.

“I wish him all the best, I hope he is in good shape. We all make mistakes, that’s just the danger of being on live TV. I’m very happy to be wrong!”

Rice himself is a iconic name at the Emirates after dedicating most of his professional career to the club. The former Northern Ireland international spent 13 years at Highbury as a player before devoting 28 years as a coach – starting as as a youth manager before becoming Wenger’s assistant.

Now 75, Rice is no longer working in football after being diagnosed with cancer in 2013. The following year he was reported to have made a recover after being spotted at Arsenal’s FA Cup clash against Everton.

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