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As he approaches his half-decade plus one year as manager, Mikel Arteta has stated plainly that his future at Arsenal is fundamentally dependent to delivering trophies.

A Look Back: From Appointment to Present

Arteta assumed control on 20 December 2019 and soon guided the team to an cup win within months. But, that first major trophy remains 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 many things must occur in the next few months as well to warrant that continuation.”

He will mark the landmark with a match versus Everton, the exact opponent Arsenal faced immediately following his role was made public.

League Position and Pressure

Given that chasing Manchester City set to face West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal risk losing the summit in the Premier League prior to their fixture. This situation arises despite Arteta overseeing a squad that has suffered over 100 injuries over the course of last season.

The manager is tied down by a year and a half left on the contract he inked in 2024, but is acutely aware that he must deliver promptly.

Earning the Right

Arteta elaborated, emphasizing the constant necessity to justify his role. “In my view a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. And that is determined by how you react, how you talk here, how you enter the dressing room, the signal you send.”

He added, expressing gratitude for the unwavering support from the club's ownership, yet identifying the team's buy-in as most crucial. “In the final analysis, the critical component are those players... For six years, I’ve seen just players with a level of attention, willingness to improve and dedicate themselves to the team.”

Squad Setbacks

The squad approaches the Everton match dealing with a fresh setback. Defender Ben White has been sidelined with a hamstring injury that is likely to keep him out for several weeks.

Evolved Priorities

Despite the injury crisis and the immense scrutiny, Arteta feels the club's “priorities and messaging” are completely changed from when he first arrived.

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

He finished by saying, “This is a standard that the Premier League has not witnessed in the past. And we want to achieve greater objectives. And if we do that, I think we are on the correct trajectory to winning.”