Arsenal Plan T-Shirt Gesture for Pat Rice After Legend Was Diagnosed with Cancer

Former Arsenal player and assistant Pat Rice has been admitted to hospital with cancer.

UPDATE: Friday, Nov. 29, at 8:50 a.m. GMT

Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail reports the following:

"

Arsenal players plan to show their support for former coach Pat Rice by wearing special T-shirts against Cardiff this weekend ...

The squad have made clear their intention to show strong support for Arsene Wenger’s former assistant in Saturday’s visit to the Cardiff City Stadium.

"

---End of Update---

The Gunners legend, who served the Premier League leaders in various capacities for 44 years, recently called time on his illustrious career in May 2012.

As reported by Gerard Brand of the Daily Mail, an Arsenal spokesperson sent the club's support to the 64-year-old:

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

As noted by a source close to the Emirates club and via Richard Smith of the Mirror, it appears Rice may have been on the receiving end of ill health for quite some time, suggesting his decision to back away from football may have been partly down to sickness.

"I’m aware he has been in and out of hospital receiving treatment," the source said.

Rice racked up more than 500 appearances during his playing career for Arsenal and Watford. He played a major role in Arsenal's success during the 1970s and had an influential role in the defence that captured Double glory in '71.

He was captain when Arsenal captured the FA Cup in 1979 and became a youth coach in 1984. He joined Arsene Wenger's coaching staff as assistant in 1996 and went on to help the Gunners land 11 trophies under the Frenchman, including three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

As noted in Brand's report, Rice was awarded an MBE upon retirement.

Fans have reacted emotionally to the news on Twitter, providing the man who received 49 caps for Northern Ireland with messages of goodwill in this difficult time. One supporter summed up the sentiments of many with his post:

Aaron Ramsey, current Arsenal star and former colleague of Rice, was also amongst the professionals leading the well-wishers. The club have urged fans to show their support via the #GetWellSoonPat hashtag:

One of football's much-loved characters, Rice will have the support of the nation as he attempts to battle his illness.