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On the eve of his half-decade plus one year at the helm, Mikel Arteta has stated plainly that his future at Arsenal is directly connected to delivering trophies.

The Journey So Far: Six Years in Charge

The former Arsenal captain assumed control on the 20th of December in 2019 and promptly led the team to an FA Cup victory not long after. But, that initial silverware is still his lone significant piece of silverware since succeeding Unai Emery.

“Absolutely,” Arteta responded upon being asked about remaining in charge after his current deal. “But it’s about today. And many things must occur in the next few months as well to warrant that continuation.”

This weekend sees the six-year milestone with a match versus Everton, the identical team Arsenal faced immediately following his hiring was confirmed.

Present Challenges

As second-placed Manchester City taking on West Ham in an earlier kick-off, Arsenal could be displaced top spot in the Premier League for the first time. This potential shift despite Arteta presiding over a squad that has been plagued by in excess of one hundred injury setbacks over the course of last season.

Arteta is tied down by 18 months remaining on the contract he inked in 2024, however, he knows that success is required promptly.

Earning the Right

He went on to explain, emphasizing the constant necessity to validate his position. “I think a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. And that depends on how you react, how you talk here, how you enter the dressing room, the signal you send.”

He stated further, praising the strong backing from the board and owners, yet identifying the players' commitment as most crucial. “In the final analysis, the most important ones are those players... During my tenure, I’ve seen just players with a standard of focus, hunger for knowledge and give their all to the team.”

Injury Concerns

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

Confidence in the Path

Despite the fitness woes and the immense scrutiny, Arteta believes the club's “objectives and communication” are vastly different from when he initially took over.

Arteta highlighted the squad's displays as evidence of progress. “You look at the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still haven’t managed to do that [win trophies]. But that indicates the standard we operate at.”

Arteta concluded, “That is a level 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 right path to winning.”