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As he approaches his six-year milestone at the helm, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his future at Arsenal is inextricably linked to winning major honors.

Reflecting on: Six Years in Charge

The Spanish coach was appointed on 20 December 2019 and soon guided the team to an cup win within months. But, that early success is still his sole significant piece of silverware after taking over from Unai Emery.

“Yes,” the manager said upon being asked about staying beyond 2027. “Yet it's about today. And many things must occur in the next few months as well to deserve that opportunity.”

Saturday night brings the six-year milestone with a match versus Everton, the exact opponent Arsenal met the day after his appointment was announced.

The Current Landscape

Given that second-placed Manchester City set to face West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal face being knocked off top spot in the Premier League prior to their fixture. This comes despite Arteta overseeing a squad that has been plagued by more than a century of fitness issues over the course of last season.

He is under a contract with 18 months to run on the contract he inked in 2024, but is acutely aware that he must deliver sooner rather than later.

The Manager's Mandate

He went on to explain, emphasizing the constant necessity to justify his role. “My belief is that a manager needs to warrant the right to be here tomorrow. And that depends on how you react, how you communicate, how you step into the dressing room, the instructions you give.”

Arteta continued, expressing gratitude for the strong backing 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 level of attention, willingness to improve and dedicate themselves to the team.”

Injury Concerns

The team faces the Everton match dealing with yet another injury. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a strain that is anticipated to sideline him for the coming weeks.

Evolved Priorities

Even with the availability issues and the immense scrutiny, Arteta feels the club's “objectives and communication” are vastly different from when he began his reign.

The manager referenced the squad's displays as proof they are close. “Consider the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still haven't been able 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.”