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As he approaches his half-decade plus one year at the helm, Mikel Arteta has stated plainly that his longevity in North London is inextricably linked to delivering trophies.

A Look Back: From Appointment to Present

The Spanish coach assumed control on the 20th of December in 2019 and managed to steer the team to an FA Cup triumph not long after. Yet, that initial silverware remains his sole major honor following the departure of Unai Emery.

“Yes,” Arteta responded in response to a query about his future past 2027. “However, it is about today. And numerous factors have to happen in the coming months as well to warrant that continuation.”

Saturday night brings the six-year milestone with a match versus Everton, the very same club Arsenal met the day after his role was made public.

The Current Landscape

Given that chasing Manchester City taking on West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal could be displaced top spot in the Premier League for the first time. This comes even with Arteta managing a squad that has suffered more than a century of fitness issues since the start of last season.

He is under a contract with a year and a half left on the extension he agreed to in 2024, but is acutely aware that he must deliver sooner rather than later.

The Manager's Mandate

Arteta elaborated, highlighting the constant necessity to justify his role. “My belief is that a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. And that is determined by how you react, how you talk here, how you enter the dressing room, the instructions you give.”

He added, commending the unwavering support from the board and owners, yet identifying the team's buy-in as the key factor. “At the end, the most important ones are those players... Over this half-decade, I’ve seen just players with a level of attention, willingness to improve and give the maximum to the team.”

Latest Fitness Blow

The team approaches the upcoming game managing yet another injury. Defender Ben White has been declared unavailable with a muscle problem that is anticipated to keep him out for the coming weeks.

A Different Club

Despite the injury crisis and the immense scrutiny, Arteta is confident the club's “priorities and messaging” are vastly different from when he first arrived.

Arteta highlighted the squad's displays 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 level we are at.”

Arteta concluded, “That is a level that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And our ambition is to achieve more lofty ambitions. And if we do that, I think we are on the proper course to winning.”