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As he approaches his half-decade plus one year as manager, Mikel Arteta has admitted that his future at Arsenal is directly connected to winning major honors.

Reflecting on: The Arteta Era

The Spanish coach was appointed on 20 December 2019 and promptly led the team to an cup win within months. But, that early success stands as his lone top-tier trophy after taking over from Unai Emery.

“I can,” he stated in response to a query about remaining in charge after his current deal. “Yet it's about today. And a lot of things need to fall into place in the next few months as well to warrant that continuation.”

He will mark the six-year milestone with a match versus Everton, the identical team Arsenal met the day after his role was made public.

The Current Landscape

With trailing Manchester City playing against West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal could be displaced top spot in the Premier League prior to their fixture. This comes even with Arteta overseeing a squad that has suffered over 100 injuries from the beginning of last season.

The manager is tied down by 18 months remaining on the contract he inked in 2024, but is acutely aware that results must come promptly.

Earning the Right

The manager expanded, emphasizing the daily requirement to prove his worth. “My belief is that a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. And that’s how how you react, how you communicate, how you step into the dressing room, the instructions you give.”

He added, commending the unwavering support from the hierarchy, yet identifying the players' commitment as paramount. “In the final analysis, the critical component are those players... For six years, I’ve seen just players with a degree of commitment, desire to learn and give their all to the team.”

Injury Concerns

The squad heads into the upcoming game managing an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a muscle problem that is likely to keep him out for a few weeks.

Confidence in the Path

Regardless of the fitness woes and the intense pressure, Arteta believes the club's “objectives and communication” are completely changed from when he initially took over.

Arteta highlighted the squad's displays as evidence of progress. “Examine the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still haven't been able to do that [win trophies]. But that tells you the standard we operate at.”

In closing, the manager stated, “That is a level that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And our ambition is to achieve even higher goals. And if we do that, I think we are on the correct trajectory to winning.”