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On the eve of his sixth anniversary in charge, Mikel Arteta has admitted that his continued role with the club is inextricably linked to winning major honors.

The Journey So Far: The Arteta Era

The Spanish coach was appointed on the 20th of December in 2019 and managed to steer the team to an FA Cup triumph not long after. But, that initial silverware is still his lone major honor after taking over from Unai Emery.

“I can,” the manager said when questioned about his future past 2027. “Yet it's about today. And numerous factors have to happen in the near future as well to earn the right.”

He will mark the landmark with a match versus Everton, the very same club Arsenal played immediately following his appointment was announced.

Present Challenges

As second-placed Manchester City set to face West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal face being knocked off top spot in the Premier League before their own match begins. This situation arises notwithstanding Arteta presiding over a squad that has suffered more than a century of fitness issues since the start of last season.

He currently has 18 months remaining on the contract he inked in 2024, yet understands fully that results must come sooner rather than later.

The Manager's Mandate

The manager expanded, highlighting the ongoing need to validate his position. “My belief is that a manager must deserve the right to be here tomorrow. And that is determined by how you react, how you address the media, how you step into the dressing room, the signal you send.”

Arteta continued, commending the consistent faith from the club's ownership, while singling out the squad's dedication as the key factor. “At the end, the critical component are those players... During my tenure, I’ve seen just players with a level of attention, desire to learn and give their all to the team.”

Latest Fitness Blow

The squad heads into the upcoming game coping with yet another injury. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a muscle problem that is likely to keep him out for a few weeks.

Evolved Priorities

Regardless of the injury crisis and the high-stakes environment, Arteta is confident the club's “objectives and communication” are profoundly distinct from when he began his reign.

He pointed to the team's performances as a sign they are nearing their goal. “Consider the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still haven't been able to do that [win trophies]. But that shows the caliber we've reached.”

Arteta concluded, “It represents a quality that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And we want to achieve more lofty ambitions. And if we do that, I think we are on the right path to winning.”