Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called on Arsenal's hierarchy to show patience as far as Mikel Arteta's future at the Emirates Stadium is concerned, despite the club's current troubles.
The Gunners, who welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day, suffered a fifth defeat in their last six domestic outings on Tuesday evening, going down 4-1 at the hands of Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
Despite having cancelled out Gabriel Jesus' early opener through Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal crumbled after the half-time interval, conceding three times through goals from Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte.
Though City were overwhelming favourites to progress to the semi-final stage, Arsenal's woes are showing no signs of slowing down, meaning a number of supporters are calling for a change.
However, City chief Guardiola, who worked alongside Arteta at the Etihad Stadium before the former Everton midfielder flew the nest and decided to become a manager for the very first time, is urging Arsenal to stick by the Gunners boss.
"Everybody knows we are judged on results," Guardiola said.
"But I worked with him for the most successful period our club had in its history. We cannot have had our success without him.
"I learned a lot about him. As well as being an incredible human being, he is an incredible manager.
"I know his proposals and what he will do. You just have to be patient. I am not somebody to tell people what to do. But not even a little run of bad results is going to change my opinion.
"He is an outstanding manager with an incredible work ethic and puts the club in front of any other decisions he has to make."
Though Arsenal do not have any present plans to relieve Arteta of his duties, former Juventus chief Massimiliano Allegri is being heavily linked with a switch to north London.
