Mikel Arteta Admits Long-Term Role Is Tied to Winning Silverware.

Ahead of marking his sixth anniversary in charge, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his future at Arsenal is directly connected to delivering trophies.

Reflecting on: From Appointment to Present

Arteta assumed control on 20 December 2019 and managed to steer the team to an FA Cup triumph not long after. However, that first major trophy remains his lone top-tier trophy after taking over from Unai Emery.

“Absolutely,” Arteta responded upon being asked about remaining in charge after his current deal. “Yet it's about today. And numerous factors must occur in the near future as well to deserve that opportunity.”

This weekend sees the anniversary with a match versus Everton, the very same club Arsenal met just after his appointment was announced.

Present Challenges

As second-placed Manchester City playing against West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal could be displaced top spot in the Premier League for the first time. This potential shift despite Arteta overseeing a squad that has been plagued by more than a century of fitness issues from the beginning of last season.

He currently has a year and a half left on the contract he inked in 2024, but is acutely aware that he must deliver sooner rather than later.

The Manager's Mandate

The manager expanded, emphasizing the daily requirement to justify his role. “I think a manager must deserve the right to be here tomorrow. And that is determined by how you react, how you address the media, how you enter the dressing room, the instructions you give.”

Arteta continued, commending the unwavering support from the club's ownership, yet identifying the players' commitment as the key factor. “In the final analysis, the most important ones are those players... During my tenure, I’ve seen just players with a level of attention, hunger for knowledge and give the maximum to the team.”

Latest Fitness Blow

The squad faces the weekend fixture managing an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been declared unavailable with a muscle problem that is likely to see him miss action for a few weeks.

Confidence in the Path

Regardless of the availability issues and the intense pressure, Arteta is confident the club's “objectives and communication” are vastly different from when he first arrived.

He pointed to the squad's displays as evidence of progress. “Consider 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, “It represents a quality that the Premier League has not witnessed 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.”