The Gunners midfielder admits there could be a “real problem” at the Emirates Stadium if the club do not find a way out of their relegation.
Arsenal are “capable of being let down”, says Ray Parlor, with the former Gunners star using Leicester’s stunning 2015-16 title victory as an example of how nothing can happen in the Premier League.
The Foxes were 5,000/1 out to get the crown under Claudio Ranieri, but they beat the weird scenes for a wild celebration at King Power Stadium.
Arsenal are currently finding themselves in a similar situation, but with focused attention at the other end of the table.
Few expected the north London giants to struggle so badly this season, with the success of the FA Cup and Community Shield expected to be a springboard for bigger and better things.
Inconsistency has still been an issue for Mikel Arteta’s side, with just four winners and 14 points taken from 13 games so far.
That disappointing return has the Gunners sitting in 15th place, five points above the drop zone and with many starting to speculate on what is unbelievable.
Parlor believes that quality will ultimately shine at the Emirates Stadium, allowing Arsenal to overcome risk, but accepts that the current format is daunting and that a few worried eyes should be shot over rounded shoulders.
He said Far am Ball: “Someone asked me the other day, can they go down?
“I said, ‘well, maybe not,’ but then you look at Leicester winning the league at 5,000/1 and winning it, until they can put it down.
“If they don’t start picking up points and turning it around there’s a real problem. ”
Arsenal were relegated again in their latest trip, with another red card collected – this time by Gabriel Magalhaes – as Arteta’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton.
These findings did little to alleviate the pressure that has been building on a Spanish coach, but Parlor believes an inexperienced coach will be given time to put things right.
The Gunners’ vice-winner said: “I don’t think Arsenal are a sack club.
“Mikel Arteta has been around Pep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger, he knows as a player that the dressing room is so important.
“If there is a problem, it needs to be addressed very quickly. If he gets out of control, the only person who loses the job is not the players, he is the immediate manager.
“Hopefully he can turn that around and make sure it resolves quickly.”
Arsenal will be back in action on Saturday when they sign a test trip to Everton.