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On the eve of his six-year milestone as manager, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his continued role with the club is inextricably linked to achieving success.

A Look Back: The Arteta Era

Arteta took over on 20 December 2019 and managed to steer the team to an cup win within months. However, that first major trophy stands as his sole top-tier trophy following the departure of Unai Emery.

“I can,” the manager said upon being asked 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 coming months as well to earn the right.”

This weekend sees the anniversary with a match versus Everton, the exact opponent Arsenal faced immediately following his hiring was confirmed.

League Position and Pressure

With second-placed Manchester City set to face West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal face being knocked off first place in the Premier League for the first time. This potential shift even with Arteta managing a squad that has endured over 100 injuries over the course of last season.

Arteta currently has 18 months to run on the extension he agreed to in 2024, but is acutely aware that results must come sooner rather than later.

Earning the Right

Arteta elaborated, highlighting the ongoing need to prove his worth. “In my view a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. And that depends on how you react, how you communicate, how you enter the dressing room, the signal you send.”

Arteta continued, expressing gratitude for the consistent faith from the club's ownership, but pinpointing the players' commitment as the key factor. “At the end, 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 the maximum to the team.”

Squad Setbacks

Arsenal heads into the weekend fixture coping with yet another injury. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a hamstring injury that is likely to see him miss action for several weeks.

A Different Club

Regardless of the injury crisis and the intense pressure, Arteta feels the club's “objectives and communication” are profoundly distinct from when he initially took over.

The manager referenced the team's performances as proof they are close. “Examine the performances, all the historical marks we surpassed... We still haven't been able to do that [win trophies]. But that indicates the level we are at.”

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