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As he approaches his half-decade plus one year in charge, Mikel Arteta has stated plainly that his continued role with the club is directly connected to achieving success.

The Journey So Far: The Arteta Era

Arteta was appointed on the 20th of December in 2019 and soon guided the team to an FA Cup victory within months. But, that initial silverware remains his only significant piece of silverware following the departure of Unai Emery.

“Absolutely,” the manager said in response to a query about remaining in charge after his current deal. “But it’s about today. And a lot of things need to fall into place in the coming months as well to deserve that opportunity.”

Saturday night brings the six-year milestone with a match versus Everton, the exact opponent Arsenal faced immediately following his hiring was confirmed.

League Position and Pressure

Given that second-placed Manchester City playing against West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal could be displaced first place in the Premier League before their own match begins. This situation arises even with Arteta overseeing a squad that has been plagued by more than a century of fitness issues over the course of last season.

The manager currently has a year and a half left on the extension he agreed to in 2024, yet understands fully that success is required promptly.

Earning the Right

The manager expanded, highlighting the constant necessity to justify his role. “I think a manager needs to warrant the right to be here tomorrow. And that’s how how you react, how you address the media, how you step into the dressing room, the message you convey.”

He added, praising the consistent faith from the hierarchy, yet identifying the team's buy-in as paramount. “At the end, the most important ones are those players... Over this half-decade, I’ve seen just players with a standard of focus, willingness to improve and give the maximum to the team.”

Latest Fitness Blow

The squad faces the upcoming game managing an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been declared unavailable with a strain that is anticipated to sideline him for the coming weeks.

A Different Club

Despite the injury crisis and the high-stakes environment, Arteta believes the club's “focus and dialogue” are vastly different from when he began his reign.

The manager referenced the team's performances as proof they are close. “Examine the performances, all the records that we... were breaking... We still haven’t managed to do that [win trophies]. But that shows the level we are at.”

He finished by saying, “This is a standard that the Premier League has not witnessed in the past. And our ambition is to achieve even higher goals. And if we do that, I think we are on the proper course to winning.”