Arsenal fans have been warned that Unai Emery may not start producing results on a regular basis until he is backed in the transfer market.
The Gunners looked to have turned a corner under the new manager, following Arsene Wenger's exit, when going unbeaten for 14 games between September and December.
However, following Sunday's 3-1 loss at City - their fourth defeat in nine games - Arsenal find themselves in sixth, falling 10 points behind north London rivals Tottenham.
Ray Parlour does not expect huge improvements in the near future, either, with money tight at the Emirates yet Emery desperate to make his mark on the squad.
"I'm amazed by [critism of Emery]," he told talkSPORT. "Arsenal are where they are meant to be at the moment. They're not at the same level as Liverpool, Man City or even Spurs.
"You've got to give this guy a chance, he needs to be backed by the club. You can't sack the manager already and Arsenal are not that sort of club anyway.
"Realistically, I think you've got to give him a few transfer windows. I know he only brought in one player in January, but I think it's going to take two or three windows to get the players he wants into the side.
"Certainly, I think he's the man to take the club forward, and now he's got to be backed by the board. Any manager is going to struggle if they haven't got players to bring in.
"You expect Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea to all spend and sign big players, so we've just got to stay in the hunt and try and compete with those clubs. What wins you trophies is better players, that's what Arsenal have to get if they're going to do that, especially defensively.
"Realistically, it's going to take time. You've got to give him a chance. To say ‘Emery Out' already, it's harsh."
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