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Ahead of marking his six-year milestone as manager, Mikel Arteta has admitted that his longevity in North London is fundamentally dependent to delivering trophies.

The Journey So Far: Six Years in Charge

The Spanish coach was appointed on 20 December 2019 and promptly led the team to an cup win not long after. Yet, that initial silverware remains his sole significant piece of silverware after taking over from Unai Emery.

“I can,” he stated when questioned about staying beyond 2027. “Yet it's about today. And numerous factors need to fall into place in the near future as well to warrant that continuation.”

Saturday night brings the six-year milestone with a game facing Everton, the identical team Arsenal faced the day after his appointment was announced.

League Position and Pressure

As second-placed Manchester City taking on West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal could be displaced top spot in the Premier League before their own match begins. This situation arises even with Arteta presiding over a squad that has been plagued by over 100 injuries since the start of last season.

Arteta currently has 18 months to run on the contract he inked in 2024, but is acutely aware that results must come in the immediate future.

Earning the Right

The manager expanded, emphasizing the daily requirement to justify his role. “My belief is that a manager has to earn 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 unwavering support from the board and owners, yet identifying the squad's dedication as paramount. “In the final analysis, the most important ones are those players... During my tenure, I’ve seen just players with a degree of commitment, willingness to improve and dedicate themselves to the team.”

Squad Setbacks

The squad approaches the Everton match coping with a fresh setback. Defender Ben White has been sidelined with a hamstring injury that is likely to keep him out for a few weeks.

Confidence in the Path

Regardless of the fitness woes and the high-stakes environment, Arteta believes the club's “priorities and messaging” are profoundly distinct from when he first arrived.

He pointed to the team's performances as a sign they are nearing their goal. “Examine the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still haven’t managed to do that [win trophies]. But that shows the standard we operate at.”

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