🔗 Share this article

As he approaches his half-decade plus one year at the helm, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his continued role with the club is fundamentally dependent to delivering trophies.

Reflecting on: 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 victory within months. Yet, that initial silverware is still his only major honor since succeeding Unai Emery.

“I can,” the manager said when questioned about his future past 2027. “But it’s about today. And a lot of things have to happen in the next few months as well to deserve that opportunity.”

This weekend sees the anniversary with a match versus Everton, the very same club Arsenal faced just after his role was made public.

League Position and Pressure

With second-placed Manchester City set to face West Ham in an earlier kick-off, Arsenal face being knocked off top spot in the Premier League for the first time. This situation arises despite Arteta managing a squad that has suffered over 100 injuries since the start 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 results must come sooner rather than later.

The Manager's Mandate

He went on to explain, highlighting the daily requirement to prove his worth. “I think a manager needs to warrant the right to be here tomorrow. And that depends on how you react, how you communicate, how you go into the dressing room, the instructions you give.”

Arteta continued, expressing gratitude for the unwavering support from the hierarchy, but pinpointing the players' commitment as most crucial. “Ultimately, the most important ones are those players... Over this half-decade, I’ve seen just players with a degree of commitment, willingness to improve and give their all to the team.”

Latest Fitness Blow

The squad heads into the upcoming game managing a fresh setback. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a strain that is expected to sideline him for the coming weeks.

A Different Club

Regardless of the injury crisis and the immense scrutiny, Arteta is confident the club's “focus and dialogue” are profoundly distinct from when he initially took over.

Arteta highlighted the team's performances as evidence of progress. “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 caliber we've reached.”

In closing, the manager stated, “This is a standard that the Premier League has not witnessed in the past. And our ambition is to achieve greater objectives. And if we do that, I think we are on the proper course to winning.”