Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has delivered a grim prediction over his former club's future.
The Gunners have made a slow start to the season under Mikel Arteta, currently 11th and six points off the top seven despite having played two games more after failing to win any of their last three.
Arteta did manage to put together a revival of sorts after a dreadful start to the campaign, bringing Arsenal back within sight of the European places, but things have gone a little downhill again of late.
The Spaniard doesn't appear to be under any serious pressure again just yet, but it could go that way following two defeats in three games, both of which came in the West Midlands, against Aston Villa and Wolves respectively.
But whichever way Arsenal's form goes, former midfielder Parlour believes they should give Arteta time, even if it takes 'three years' to return to the Champions League places.
“He’s learned a little bit from Arsene Wenger, Pep Guardiola as well, but I would give him a chance," Parlour said on TalkSPORT.
“It might take a couple of transfer windows, look at Jurgen Klopp, he got an opportunity. He came into Liverpool and there was a plan.
“Arteta has got to show he’s got a plan going forward. It might take three years to try to challenge that top four or try to challenge for the league.
“But we know money does make it easier and that’s where the board come in.
“If they think they’ve got the right man, please give him a chance by giving him a little bit more money.
“I do think Arteta needs a couple of windows to get his own players in. (Arsenal technical director) Edu is going to be a big part of that.”
Arsenal are back in Premier League action on Sunday when they face Leeds United before kicking off their Europa League knockout stage campaign against Sporting Lisbon Benfica.
