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Ahead of marking his six-year milestone at the helm, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his longevity in North London is inextricably linked to delivering trophies.

Reflecting on: Six Years in Charge

Arteta assumed control on December 20th, 2019 and promptly led the team to an FA Cup triumph within months. Yet, that initial silverware is still his lone significant piece of silverware after taking over from Unai Emery.

“I can,” he stated when questioned about remaining in charge after his current deal. “However, it is about today. And numerous factors have to happen in the near future as well to earn the right.”

Saturday night brings the landmark with a fixture against Everton, the very same club Arsenal met immediately following his role was made public.

Present Challenges

Given that chasing Manchester City taking on West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal risk losing the summit in the Premier League for the first time. This situation arises notwithstanding Arteta presiding over a squad that has been plagued by in excess of one hundred injury setbacks since the start of last season.

He is under a contract with 18 months remaining on the deal he signed in 2024, yet understands fully that success is required in the immediate future.

The Manager's Mandate

Arteta elaborated, emphasizing the ongoing need to justify his role. “In my view a manager must deserve the right to be here tomorrow. And that depends on how you react, how you address the media, how you enter the dressing room, the instructions you give.”

He added, expressing gratitude for the consistent faith from the club's ownership, yet identifying the players' commitment as the key factor. “At the end, the most important ones are those players... Over this half-decade, I’ve seen just players with a standard of focus, hunger for knowledge and dedicate themselves to the team.”

Injury Concerns

Arsenal heads into the Everton match managing a fresh setback. Defender Ben White has been sidelined with a muscle problem that is likely to sideline him for a few weeks.

A Different Club

Regardless of the fitness woes and the immense scrutiny, Arteta is confident the club's “objectives and communication” are vastly different from when he began his reign.

The manager referenced the record-breaking achievements as evidence of progress. “Examine the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still haven’t managed to do that [win trophies]. But that indicates the caliber we've reached.”

Arteta concluded, “That is a level that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And our ambition is to achieve even higher goals. And if we do that, I think we are on the proper course to winning.”