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Ahead of marking his half-decade plus one year as manager, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his continued role with the club is fundamentally dependent to winning major honors.

The Journey So Far: Six Years in Charge

Arteta assumed control on December 20th, 2019 and promptly led the team to an cup win not long after. But, that first major trophy is still his lone top-tier trophy following the departure of Unai Emery.

“Yes,” he stated upon being asked about his future past 2027. “Yet it's about today. And a lot of things must occur in the coming months as well to warrant that continuation.”

He will mark the anniversary with a game facing Everton, the very same club Arsenal played immediately following his hiring was confirmed.

The Current Landscape

As second-placed Manchester City set to face West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal risk losing top spot in the Premier League prior to their fixture. This situation arises despite Arteta managing a squad that has been plagued by in excess of one hundred injury setbacks from the beginning of last season.

He is under a contract with 18 months remaining on the extension he agreed to in 2024, however, he knows that success is required in the immediate future.

Survival in the Job

He went on to explain, stressing the constant necessity to prove his worth. “In my view a manager needs to warrant the right to be here tomorrow. And that’s how how you react, how you talk here, how you enter the dressing room, the signal you send.”

He added, commending the unwavering support from the hierarchy, yet identifying the players' commitment as the key factor. “Ultimately, the key individuals are those players... For six years, I’ve seen just players with a degree of commitment, willingness to improve and dedicate themselves to the team.”

Squad Setbacks

The team faces the upcoming game dealing with an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been sidelined with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out for a few weeks.

Evolved Priorities

Regardless of the injury crisis and the immense scrutiny, Arteta feels the club's “objectives and communication” are profoundly distinct from when he began his reign.

The manager referenced the squad's displays as proof they are close. “Consider the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still haven't been able to do that [win trophies]. But that indicates the level we are at.”

In closing, the manager stated, “That is a level that the Premier League has not seen before in the past. And our aim is to achieve more lofty ambitions. And if we do that, I think we are on the correct trajectory to winning.”