Gunnerblog

The Party Before The Storm

173 comments May 10th, 2012

Yesterday the playing staff held the annual End of Season party, at which they’re invited to bring their families and socialise.  This was a particularly poignant occasion, as it marked the forthcoming departure of Pat Rice, after 44 years of service to Arsenal.  Several players tweeted their thanks, and whilst the club have yet to officially confirm his retirement, it seems that there’ll be no last-minute change of heart.

Pat Rice is embraced by the playing staff at yesterday's party

He’s set to be replaced by Steve Bould, current boss of the U-18s, with Reserve team manager Neil Banfield stepping in to a new role as first-team coach.  It’s the first major shake-up of Arsene’s backroom team in his entire reign, so it’ll be interesting to see what impact, if any, it has upon the squad.

Pat Rice obviously deserves an enormous amount of gratitude and respect for a quite incredible spell at the club.  The term ‘legend’ gets banded around rather freely these days, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a man who has given more to a single club. I’m sure you all join me in wishing him all the best for his retirement.

Of course, he still has one more game to go.  Although it seems that the players made him a lovely big card, the best possible send-off would surely be three points at West Brom.  It’s a day that will be laced with a potent jumble of emotions for a number of squad members.  As well as Pat, it could well be a final game with the squad for the likes of Yossi Benayoun and forgotten man Manuel Almunia, who remains a popular squad member.  Hopefully their Arsenal careers, and our season, can end on a high.

It’s worth noting that yesterday’s little do was not a ‘welcoming party’ for Yann M’vila.  Indeed, the indications are that several journalists have severely jumped the gun on that particular deal.  From what I hear, this deal is far from done, and everyone at the club is far more focused on the upcoming match than any potential transfers.

Oh, and a little party for Pat.