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Ahead of marking his sixth anniversary as manager, Mikel Arteta has stated plainly that his continued role with the club is inextricably linked to delivering trophies.

The Journey So Far: From Appointment to Present

The former Arsenal captain took over on 20 December 2019 and soon guided the team to an FA Cup triumph a short time later. But, that early success remains his lone significant piece of silverware after taking over from Unai Emery.

“Yes,” the manager said upon being asked about remaining in charge after his current deal. “But it’s about today. And many things need to fall into place in the near future as well to deserve that opportunity.”

This weekend sees the six-year milestone with a game facing Everton, the identical team Arsenal played just after his role was made public.

League Position and Pressure

With trailing Manchester City set to face West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal face being knocked off the summit in the Premier League prior to their fixture. This comes even with Arteta managing a squad that has endured over 100 injuries from the beginning of last season.

He is tied down by 18 months to run on the extension he agreed to in 2024, however, he knows that results must come in the immediate future.

Earning the Right

The manager expanded, emphasizing the constant necessity to prove his worth. “I think a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. And that’s how how you react, how you talk here, how you enter the dressing room, the instructions you give.”

He added, praising the unwavering support from the club's ownership, yet identifying the squad's dedication as the key factor. “At the end, the most important ones are those players... During my tenure, I’ve seen just players with a standard of focus, willingness to improve and dedicate themselves to the team.”

Injury Concerns

The squad approaches the upcoming game managing an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been declared unavailable with a muscle problem that is anticipated to see him miss action for the coming weeks.

Confidence in the Path

Regardless of the fitness woes and the intense pressure, Arteta feels the club's “priorities and messaging” are profoundly distinct from when he first arrived.

Arteta highlighted the squad's displays as evidence of progress. “Examine the performances, all the records that we... were breaking... We still have yet to do that [win trophies]. But that indicates the level we are at.”

Arteta concluded, “It represents a quality that the Premier League has not seen before in the past. And we want to achieve even higher goals. And if we do that, I think we are on the correct trajectory to winning.”