For many, it was two points dropped at home by the Gunners. But Parlour insists the way Arsenal eventually forced an equaliser shouldn't be dismissed.
He told Tribalfootball.com: "Well, the positives probably would be that they kept going. You know, they could have easily lost 1-0 on Sunday. Man City were defending very well, but they kept going and obviously got their late goal to get the equaliser.
Who knows what that point will be at the end of the season?
"That would give them a little bit of confidence, getting that last-minute goal, well, five minutes to go, and you know, that's what I can take out of it.
"It was a poor goal to give away. But the positive would be they kept going and they got the equaliser late in the game. Players coming on off the pitch, (Ebere) Eze, obviously (Gabi) Martinelli coming off the bench, probably was good substitutions in the end. But, yeah, I mean, they'll be disappointed because you needed to get that three points to keep the pressure on Liverpool.
"In the end, the positive will be they kept going and got the equaliser late in the game."
Arteta playing it safe?
Quizzed about manager Mikel Arteta's approach to the game, particularly the decision to start with Eze on the bench, Parlour conceded Arsenal could've been more bold with their starting XI.
He said, "Look, he was a little bit more negative in team selection. There's no doubt about that. He put that extra midfielder in there, defensive midfielder. And Eze, who's been in decent form, was on the bench.
"Being at home I'd always say you've got to start on the front foot a little bit more. You've got the fans behind you. You've got to be a bit more attack-minded against the bigger teams at home.
"He might have got it wrong with the team selection. And he changed it (with the substitutions), which is good."
- Ray Parlour was speaking to Tribalfootball on behalf of NetBet Sports Betting