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As he approaches his half-decade plus one year at the helm, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his future at Arsenal is fundamentally dependent to achieving success.

Reflecting on: Six Years in Charge

Arteta assumed control on December 20th, 2019 and soon guided the team to an FA Cup triumph within months. But, that first major trophy remains his lone major honor following the departure of Unai Emery.

“Yes,” Arteta responded in response to a query about his future past 2027. “However, it is about today. And a lot of things have to happen in the coming months as well to earn the right.”

This weekend sees the anniversary with a game facing Everton, the very same club Arsenal faced just after his hiring was confirmed.

Present Challenges

Given that trailing Manchester City set to face West Ham in an earlier kick-off, Arsenal face being knocked off first place in the Premier League for the first time. This situation arises notwithstanding Arteta overseeing a squad that has endured more than a century of fitness issues from the beginning of last season.

Arteta is under a contract with 18 months to run on the extension he agreed to in 2024, but is acutely aware that results must come promptly.

Survival in the Job

The manager expanded, stressing the constant necessity to prove his worth. “I think a manager needs to warrant the right to be here tomorrow. And that’s how how you react, how you communicate, how you go into the dressing room, the message you convey.”

He added, expressing gratitude for the strong backing from the club's ownership, but pinpointing the squad's dedication as the key factor. “Ultimately, the key individuals are those players... For six years, I’ve seen just players with a standard of focus, desire to learn and dedicate themselves to the team.”

Squad Setbacks

The team approaches the weekend fixture managing a fresh setback. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a hamstring injury that is anticipated to see him miss action for the coming weeks.

Evolved Priorities

Regardless of the fitness woes and the intense pressure, Arteta is confident the club's “focus and dialogue” are vastly different from when he initially took over.

He pointed to the team's performances as proof they are close. “You look at the performances, all the historical marks we surpassed... We still haven't been able to do that [win trophies]. But that shows the level we are at.”

In closing, the manager stated, “That is a level that the Premier League has not seen before in the past. And our ambition is to achieve more lofty ambitions. And if we do that, I think we are on the correct trajectory to winning.”