🔗 Share this article

As he approaches his half-decade plus one year in charge, Mikel Arteta has admitted that his continued role with the club is inextricably linked to winning major honors.

A Look Back: Six Years in Charge

The Spanish coach was appointed on December 20th, 2019 and soon guided the team to an FA Cup victory not long after. However, that initial silverware is still his lone major honor since succeeding Unai Emery.

“I can,” he stated in response to a query about remaining in charge after his current deal. “But it’s about today. And numerous factors have to happen in the coming months as well to deserve that opportunity.”

This weekend sees the six-year milestone with a match versus Everton, the exact opponent Arsenal faced immediately following his appointment was announced.

League Position and Pressure

Given that chasing Manchester City taking on West Ham in an earlier kick-off, Arsenal could be displaced the summit in the Premier League prior to their fixture. This situation arises even with Arteta overseeing a squad that has suffered more than a century of fitness issues since the start of last season.

He currently has a year and a half left on the deal he signed in 2024, yet understands fully that results must come promptly.

Earning the Right

The manager expanded, emphasizing the constant necessity to validate his position. “My belief is that a manager has to earn 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 instructions you give.”

Arteta continued, commending the consistent faith from the board and owners, while singling out the squad's dedication as the key factor. “Ultimately, the critical component are those players... Over this half-decade, I’ve seen just players with a level of attention, willingness to improve and give their all to the team.”

Injury Concerns

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

A Different Club

Even with the fitness woes and the immense scrutiny, Arteta believes the club's “priorities and messaging” are vastly different from when he began his reign.

He pointed to the record-breaking achievements as a sign they are nearing their goal. “Consider the performances, all the records that we... were breaking... We still haven't been able to do that [win trophies]. But that indicates the caliber we've reached.”

In closing, the manager stated, “This is a standard that the Premier League has not seen before 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.”