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As he approaches his half-decade plus one year as manager, Mikel Arteta has stated plainly that his continued role with the club is fundamentally dependent to delivering trophies.

Reflecting on: From Appointment to Present

Arteta was appointed on the 20th of December in 2019 and soon guided the team to an cup win not long after. But, that first major trophy remains his lone significant piece of silverware following the departure of Unai Emery.

“I can,” he stated upon being asked about his future past 2027. “However, it is about today. And many things have to happen in the next few months as well to earn the right.”

Saturday night brings the six-year milestone with a match versus Everton, the exact opponent Arsenal played just after his hiring was confirmed.

The Current Landscape

As second-placed Manchester City playing against West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal could be displaced first place in the Premier League for the first time. This comes even with Arteta presiding over a squad that has suffered more than a century of fitness issues from the beginning of last season.

Arteta is tied down by a year and a half left on the deal he signed in 2024, however, he knows that results must come sooner rather than later.

The Manager's Mandate

He went on to explain, emphasizing the constant necessity to prove his worth. “I think a manager needs to warrant the right to be here tomorrow. And that is determined by how you react, how you communicate, how you go into the dressing room, the instructions you give.”

Arteta continued, praising the unwavering support from the board and owners, yet identifying the team's buy-in as most crucial. “Ultimately, the critical component are those players... For six years, I’ve seen just players with a degree of commitment, desire to learn and dedicate themselves to the team.”

Injury Concerns

Arsenal heads into the Everton match coping with an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been declared unavailable with a muscle problem that is anticipated to sideline him for the coming weeks.

Confidence in the Path

Despite the fitness woes and the intense pressure, Arteta is confident the club's “objectives and communication” are completely changed from when he first arrived.

Arteta highlighted the record-breaking achievements as evidence of progress. “Consider the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still haven’t managed to do that [win trophies]. But that shows the standard we operate at.”

He finished by saying, “That is a level that the Premier League has not seen before in the past. And we want to achieve even higher goals. And if we do that, I think we are on the right path to winning.”