A look at Arsenal’s week in quotes.

Alex Iwobi has been very vocal recently about his respect for Arsene Wenger and his desire for the Frenchman to stay at Arsenal, even suggesting that he’s something of a father figure to him.

This week, the Nigeria international has continued his public display of support for his manager, calling him a ‘great man’.

“He’s a great man in my opinion,” Iwobi told the BBC‘s World Football programme.

“I’d like him to stay.

“He’s always helped me and developed me as player.

“I don’t think it’s fair the way everybody criticises him. It’s very unfair considering what he’s done.

“He’s always achieved fourth place, been in the Champions League and been up there with the title contenders.”

Meanwhile Mesut Ozil had his comments in the German press taken out of context. Surprise, Surprise.

Just before talking about his love of Arsenal, the playmaker pointed out how his family, especially his mother, would probably love to see him play for a club closer to home one day. The press twisted this to mean that his family want him to leave.

Here’s what he actually said.

“I don’t want to exclude [a potential move back to Germany],” he told SportBild.

“Many family members – my mother especially – would welcome it if I were closer to home.

“I still have a year on my contract and I love… this club [Arsenal]. At the moment, everything is still open.”

Ozil also acknowledged that although he started the season well, he’s dropped off during the second half, which can be said for most of the Arsenal squad.

“I started strongly but – like the team in general – have not kept up my performance,” Ozil told Bild.

“When it isn’t going well overall it is twice as hard for a creative player. Take the games against Bayern, for instance.

 “I’m not the type of player to chase after the ball the whole time, everyone knows that.

“My potential lies far more on the offensive side.

“I’m supposed to be dangerous, create chances, score goals. When I don’t get the ball, that’s difficult.”

Former players have also been out in force in the media talking about Wenger.

Lauren wants the big man to stay at Arsenal, saying, “As far as I know, there is already an agreement between the club and Wenger to be announced in the coming weeks, or at the end of the season.

“Hopefully, Wenger will stay and build a stronger team and sign better players during the transfer window.”

While David Seaman seems to also believe he could stay and that it won’t be a disaster if he does.

“No, it won’t be a disaster [if he signs a new deal],” the ex-England international told talkSPORT.

“At the moment even I’m questioning what he’s going to do, about which way is the best way.

“I’ve always been a big Arsene fan and I always will be. When I was at the club and he came in, the changes he made were unbelievable. He’s at the stage now where he needs to make some other changes.

“If he’s going to stay at the club for another two years there’s a lot that needs changing. The club at the moment is just not going anywhere – we’re out of the top four and there had to be a season where we weren’t going to finish in the top four.

“Maybe it is a disaster, at the moment, but it’s something Arsenal fans have taken for granted and now all of a sudden there’s a big chance that it’s not going to happen and everyone is flapping.

“It just needs sorting out. We need to know what’s happening – Is he going to sign, or is he going to leave?”

And it seems like Patrick Vieira has a new found respect for his compatriot seeing as he’s now manager of New York City FC.

“It’s a difficult one, it’s not just about Arsene but coaching in general. Now I’m into the other side I do understand how difficult it is,” Vieira said.

“As a coach you’re controlling the players you bring, what’s going on on the pitch, the decisions you’re making, but I think when players are on the field they have to take responsibility.

“It’s really difficult to say ‘Wenger in’ or ‘Wenger out’ because I don’t have all the information to make that decision, but it’s important for players on the field to take responsibility because losing games – yeah, a manager is the first one – but at the same time, players have to look at themselves and see if they give everything for the football club.

“I don’t think at Arsenal that every single player can say that they’ve been giving everything for this football club, for the shirt that they’re wearing.

“The manager is always going to be the target, but you have to look at what Arsene did for the club in the last 20, 21 years.

“What the club was before and what the club is now. The club completely changed. It’s more than a club now.

“When you look at Arsenal, they have an identity the way they play, the philosophy, it’s been like that for the last 20 years and then of course you want to win as a fan, but look at the identity and the philosophy that Arsene brought to this club.

“This is sometimes more important and bigger than just winning trophies.”

But what about Wenger himself?

As usual, he was asked ahead of the match against Manchester City whether he planned to extend his contract or not and as usual he shot down any questions on the subject.

“(You won’t find out my decision) today but I’m very clear in my mind,” he said.

“But anyway, do I stay two months or two years? My commitment will be exactly the same. The time I spent here does not influence my attitude at all.”

However, later, Wenger told Geoff Shreeves on Sky Sports, “Don’t make me announce today what I don’t want to do. I’m not in a position to do it.”

Suggesting that he’s not the one holding up the announcement on his future.