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

The Journey So Far: The Arteta Era

The Spanish coach assumed control on the 20th of December in 2019 and promptly led the team to an cup win within months. However, that first major trophy is still his sole top-tier trophy following the departure of Unai Emery.

“Absolutely,” Arteta responded in response to a query about remaining in charge after his current deal. “Yet it's about today. And a lot of things have to happen in the next few months as well to warrant that continuation.”

Saturday night brings the six-year milestone with a match versus Everton, the identical team Arsenal faced just after his appointment was announced.

League Position and Pressure

With second-placed Manchester City taking on West Ham in an earlier kick-off, Arsenal face being knocked off first place in the Premier League prior to their fixture. This situation arises notwithstanding Arteta presiding over a squad that has endured in excess of one hundred injury setbacks since the start of last season.

He is under a contract with 18 months to run on the contract he inked in 2024, but is acutely aware that results must come sooner rather than later.

Survival in the Job

Arteta elaborated, emphasizing the constant necessity to validate his position. “I think a manager must deserve the right to be here tomorrow. And that’s how how you react, how you address the media, how you enter the dressing room, the message you convey.”

Arteta continued, expressing gratitude for the consistent faith from the club's ownership, while singling out the squad's dedication as most crucial. “Ultimately, the key individuals are those players... During my tenure, I’ve seen just players with a standard of focus, hunger for knowledge and give the maximum to the team.”

Latest Fitness Blow

The team heads into the weekend fixture dealing with a fresh setback. Defender Ben White has been sidelined with a hamstring injury that is likely to see him miss action for the coming weeks.

Evolved Priorities

Even with the availability issues and the immense scrutiny, Arteta feels the club's “focus and dialogue” are profoundly distinct from when he first arrived.

Arteta highlighted the squad's displays as proof they are close. “Examine the performances, all the historical marks we surpassed... We still haven’t managed to do that [win trophies]. But that tells you the level we are at.”

Arteta concluded, “It represents a quality that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And we want to achieve greater objectives. And if we do that, I think we are on the proper course to winning.”