Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires wants to see manager Arsene Wenger sign a new contract as soon as possible and end the uncertainty over his future.
The veteran Gunners manager said after their 3-1 Premier League defeat at West Brom last weekend that he had made a decision on whether to extend his 21-year stay but that he wasn't prepared to reveal what it is just yet.
Pires told Sky Sports News that everyone involved with the club needs an answer.
And the former France World Cup winner and 2001-02 Football Writers Player of the Year went as far as to say that Wenger extending his deal was more important than the cases of individual Arsenal stars Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
"I hope they extend with new contract," said Pires of Ozil and Sanchez.
"The negotiation is very difficult and maybe complicated.
"But the most important is to see Arsene Wenger extend. Arsene Wenger is very, very important for Arsenal for now and for next season.
"I believe in Arsene Wenger. For me it was a privilege to work with him for six seasons. He was not perfect but he was good, we won some titles."
Pires won the Premier League under Wenger's tutelage in 2001-02 and the Invincible season of 2003-04, as well as three FA Cups. He was still at the club in 2005-06 when Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first and thus far only time.
The Frenchman has also contributed in a coaching capacity at Arsenal in recent times.
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