Gilberto Silva has urged Arsenal's board to give Mikel Arteta time, amid their recent poor form in the Premier League.
The Gunners slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Wolves last weekend, which confirmed their worst start to a top flight season for 39 years.
Arteta was appointed as Unai Emery's replacement last December and enjoyed initial success, including winning the FA Cup in August and the Community Shield at the start of the current campaign.
But Arsenal's poor run of results and struggle in front of goal has seen some supporters question Arteta's position.
Gilberto, who played in Arsenal's Invincibles side of 2003/04, believes the Spaniard deserves time to get it right at the Emirates, a year on from his appointment.
"I don't think I was the only one who was surprised when Arsenal appointed Mikel Arteta," Gilberto told Ladbrokes.
"After Arsene Wenger, they tried Unai Emery and then decided to change when that didn't work out. From outside we expected someone with more experience in the job. Someone who has been in the position before. It was a surprise, of course, for most of us.
"But his approach has been good. When I see him speak, I really like the way he talks about the club, the team and his ideas. He's very clear and very honest, and that's important, because you're in one of the toughest jobs in the world. You must be very confident and have a strong mentality to be in that position.
"I think you have to trust his project. You made the decision to appoint the guy. I believe they interviewed other managers and decided to go for Arteta - so if you change your mind now just because results haven't been the best so far this season and he hasn't had instant success in the league, then you run the risk of being back at square one and having to start all over again.
"I believe Arsenal need to give Arteta time. This is his first full season in charge of the football club. Results haven't been the best, we know that. But that's not only because of him. It's time for the players to stand up. Stand up and realise which club they are playing for, who they're representing. It's time for them to pull together motivate each other.
"Sometimes it's not about if you play bad, it's about what you leave on the field, and the desire you must have. Run for your teammates. Fight for your team. It's that fighting spirit which Arsenal needs now from everybody at the club in order to turn results around.
"I'm not saying there's no fighting spirit there already, but what they've been doing has not been enough in order for them to get results. They need to put more in."
When asked how he thought the remainder of Arsenal's season will go, Gilberto was coy with his prediction.
"It's tough to say right now where Arsenal can realistically finish the season. I don't want to be too positive now and then see them struggle through Christmas where we're then in a completely different scenario.
"I'd rather wait until after Christmas to make a full assessment on where I think they'll end up. From now until the Christmas period there are a lot of things which can change. Many things can happen and I just hope it's for the better of the team."
