🔗 Share this article

On the eve of his half-decade plus one year at the helm, Mikel Arteta has admitted that his future at Arsenal is inextricably linked to delivering trophies.

The Journey So Far: The Arteta Era

The former Arsenal captain assumed control on 20 December 2019 and managed to steer the team to an cup win not long after. But, that early success is still his lone significant piece of silverware after taking over from Unai Emery.

“Absolutely,” the manager said in response to a query about remaining in charge after his current deal. “Yet it's about today. And many things need to fall into place in the coming months as well to warrant that continuation.”

He will mark the landmark with a match versus Everton, the very same club Arsenal met the day after his hiring was confirmed.

Present Challenges

Given that second-placed Manchester City playing against West Ham in an earlier kick-off, Arsenal face being knocked off first place in the Premier League for the first time. This situation arises even with Arteta overseeing a squad that has been plagued by more than a century of fitness issues over the course of last season.

The manager is under a contract with 18 months to run on the extension he agreed to in 2024, however, he knows that he must deliver promptly.

Survival in the Job

He went on to explain, highlighting the ongoing need to validate his position. “My belief is that a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. And that depends on how you react, how you address the media, how you step into the dressing room, the signal you send.”

He stated further, commending the unwavering support from the club's ownership, while singling out the players' commitment 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, hunger for knowledge and give their all to the team.”

Latest Fitness Blow

The squad approaches the Everton match coping with yet another injury. Defender Ben White has been sidelined with a muscle problem that is expected to see him miss action for several weeks.

Confidence in the Path

Even with the injury crisis and the immense scrutiny, Arteta feels the club's “priorities and messaging” are completely changed from when he initially took over.

Arteta highlighted the record-breaking achievements as a sign they are nearing their goal. “Consider the performances, all the records that we... were breaking... We still have yet to do that [win trophies]. But that shows the level we are at.”

He finished by saying, “This is a standard that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And our aim is to achieve more lofty ambitions. And if we do that, I think we are on the right path to winning.”