Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit was forced into an apology on Monday night after declaring that legendary Gunner Pat Rice had died.

Petit appeared as a special guest on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football as he watched his old club Chelsea beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Unlike most sports broadcasts, Monday Night Football gives their guests the opportunity to delve back into their careers alongside former Liverpool man Jamie Carragher.

During the evening, Rice came up in conversation with Petit remarking: "He had some fights with Pat Rice as well, rest in peace Pat." This quickly led host David Jones to clarify that 75-year-old Rice was still alive and well.

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"I’ve got some good news, Pat Rice sends his best," the presenter explained. "He’s not actually no longer with us, he’s alive and kicking."

As Carragher giggled at the error, an apologetic Petit chimed in: "I’m sorry. Sorry Pat.

"I’m confused. I’m so sorry Pat. Pat, I made a mistake, sorry."

Northern Irishman Rice holds a fond place in the hearts of Gunners fans thanks to his legendary career in North London. He made a whopping 498 appearances for Arsenal between 1966 and 1980.

After leaving Highbury, Rice would spend four years and rack up 61 appearances for Watford before retiring. His love for the Gunners would return him to the club after his Watford stint, becoming U18s coach and caretaker manager before Arsene Wenger's arrival.

He would spend 16 years and 900 games as Wenger's assistant before retiring in 2012.