ARSENAL legend Pat Rice has been axed from his role in the club’s scouting team.
The Gunners are currently overhauling their recruitment department behind the scenes as part of a move to a more data-driven model.
The Emirates outfit have already announced that transfer guru Raul Sanllehi has left the club.
And Rice, who has been connected to Arsenal for over 50 years as a player, coach and finally a scout, has also seen his job axed.
However, the 71-year-old will still remain a part of the Gunners through his duties working as a club ambassador.
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Rice lifted both the First Division and FA Cup during his playing days at Arsenal where he amassed 528 appearances.
He also won three Premier League titles and multiple other honours during the 16 years he served as Arsene Wenger’s assistant.
Stewart Houston, who was also working as a scout, is another stalwart to be shown the Emirates exit door.
The duo follow head of international scouting Francis Cagigao and head of UK scouting Peter Clark in leaving Arsenal.
Head of football Sanllehi’s shock departure was announced last week as the club attempt to trim their scouting network.
He was responsible for sanctioning transfer deals for the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Dani Ceballos and Kieran Tierney.
Sanllehi was also the driving force behind the decision to appoint Mikel Arteta as manager and Edu as technical director.
Arsenal’s managing director, Vinai Venkatesham took over the duties of the former head of football.
