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On the eve of his sixth anniversary as manager, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his longevity in North London is fundamentally dependent to achieving success.

Reflecting on: From Appointment to Present

Arteta took over on the 20th of December in 2019 and promptly led the team to an cup win within months. Yet, that initial silverware stands as his only major honor since succeeding Unai Emery.

“I can,” the manager said when questioned about remaining in charge after his current deal. “Yet it's about today. And numerous factors must occur in the next few months as well to deserve that opportunity.”

Saturday night brings the landmark with a match versus Everton, the exact opponent Arsenal faced immediately following his role was made public.

The Current Landscape

As second-placed Manchester City set to face West Ham in an earlier kick-off, Arsenal risk losing first place in the Premier League for the first time. This situation arises notwithstanding Arteta managing a squad that has endured in excess of one hundred injury setbacks from the beginning of last season.

He currently has a year and a half left on the contract he inked in 2024, yet understands fully that success is required in the immediate future.

Earning the Right

Arteta elaborated, stressing the ongoing need to validate his position. “In my view a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. And that is determined by how you react, how you address the media, how you enter the dressing room, the instructions you give.”

Arteta continued, praising the unwavering support from the club's ownership, but pinpointing the players' commitment as paramount. “Ultimately, the most important ones are those players... During my tenure, I’ve seen just players with a degree of commitment, willingness to improve and dedicate themselves to the team.”

Injury Concerns

The squad approaches the upcoming game managing an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a hamstring injury that is expected to see him miss action for the coming weeks.

A Different Club

Regardless of the fitness woes and the intense pressure, Arteta believes the club's “priorities and messaging” are profoundly distinct from when he began his reign.

He pointed to the record-breaking achievements as evidence of progress. “Consider the performances, all the records that we... were breaking... We still haven't been able to do that [win trophies]. But that tells you the caliber we've reached.”

He finished by saying, “That is a level that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And our aim is to achieve greater objectives. And if we do that, I think we are on the proper course to winning.”