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ARSENAL: Rice - Last term's experience stands us in good stead

/noticias.info/ By Chris Harris

Pat Rice expects Arsenal to be stronger than ever when they return for another tilt at the title in August.

Arsène Wenger's long-serving assistant manager had a front-row seat of the highs and lows of last season and is full of optimism as he turns his attention to the next Premier League campaign.

Rice, whose playing career at Highbury spanned three decades and 528 appearances, has seen plenty of top-class Arsenal sides in his time. He believes the current squad have already exceeded expectations and can reach another level next term.

"If you got back to the close season the so-called pundits were writing us off," Rice told Arsenal.com.

"One pundit - who I remember is an ex-player - said we would be lucky if we finish in the top eight! That goes to show you just how good the side is.

"I believe that the experience and the disappointments we endured throughout last season will make sure we come back even stronger and even more committed."

Speaking of commitment, Rice who has served Arsenal Football Club as a player and coach for over 40 years, has every intention of extending his own relationship with the Club. Indeed, he dismissed recent speculation over his Arsenal future as "a complete lie".

"To put the record straight, there is absolutely no truth in the rumours that have been going about," said Rice.

"The first rumour on a website claimed that I was leaving because my wife is in ill health. That is completely and utterly a lie. I'm really surprised and disappointed that someone would say something like that when it's not true.

"As far as I am concerned, my role this summer is no different to how it has been since Arsène came here in 1996.

"Until he tells me something different, I will still be in my normal role as his assistant and we will be looking forward to doing pre-season as per normal." notas_de_prensa_archivo