🔗 Share this article

Ahead of marking his half-decade plus one year as manager, Mikel Arteta has stated plainly that his future at Arsenal is fundamentally dependent to delivering trophies.

A Look Back: The Arteta Era

The former Arsenal captain took over on 20 December 2019 and managed to steer the team to an FA Cup victory not long after. Yet, that initial silverware remains his sole top-tier trophy after taking over from Unai Emery.

“Yes,” he stated in response to a query about remaining in charge after his current deal. “But it’s about today. And a lot of things need to fall into place in the near future as well to earn the right.”

He will mark the six-year milestone with a match versus Everton, the identical team Arsenal played immediately following his hiring was confirmed.

League Position and Pressure

Given that second-placed Manchester City set to face West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal risk losing first place in the Premier League prior to their fixture. This situation arises notwithstanding Arteta managing a squad that has suffered in excess of one hundred injury setbacks over the course of last season.

He is tied down by 18 months remaining on the contract he inked in 2024, yet understands fully that he must deliver in the immediate future.

The Manager's Mandate

The manager expanded, emphasizing the constant necessity to prove his worth. “In my view a manager must deserve the right to be here tomorrow. And that’s how how you react, how you talk here, how you step into the dressing room, the message you convey.”

He added, expressing gratitude for the strong backing from the board and owners, but pinpointing the players' commitment as most crucial. “At the end, the critical component are those players... For six years, I’ve seen just players with a degree of commitment, hunger for knowledge and give the maximum to the team.”

Squad Setbacks

The team heads into the Everton match managing an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been sidelined with a strain that is expected to keep him out for the coming weeks.

A Different Club

Regardless of the injury crisis and the intense pressure, Arteta is confident the club's “objectives and communication” are vastly different from when he first arrived.

The manager referenced the team's performances as evidence of progress. “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 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 proper course to winning.”