The Gunners' Boss Concedes Long-Term Stay Hinges on Securing Silverware.

As he approaches his six-year milestone in charge, Mikel Arteta has admitted that his future at Arsenal 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 triumph a short time later. But, that first major trophy stands as his sole significant piece of silverware since succeeding Unai Emery.

“Absolutely,” he stated upon being asked about remaining in charge after his current deal. “But it’s about today. And numerous factors have to happen in the coming months as well to earn the right.”

He will mark the landmark with a fixture against Everton, the exact opponent Arsenal played just after his hiring was confirmed.

Present Challenges

With chasing Manchester City set to face West Ham in an earlier kick-off, Arsenal could be displaced top spot in the Premier League before their own match begins. This situation arises even with Arteta presiding over a squad that has suffered in excess of one hundred injury setbacks over the course of last season.

Arteta is tied down by 18 months remaining on the extension he agreed to in 2024, but is acutely aware that he must deliver sooner rather than later.

The Manager's Mandate

The manager expanded, stressing the daily requirement to validate his position. “My belief is that a manager needs to warrant the right to be here tomorrow. And that’s how how you react, how you talk here, how you enter the dressing room, the signal you send.”

He stated further, expressing gratitude for the unwavering support from the hierarchy, but pinpointing the squad's dedication as paramount. “In the final analysis, the most important ones are those players... Over this half-decade, I’ve seen just players with a degree of commitment, hunger for knowledge and dedicate themselves to the team.”

Latest Fitness Blow

Arsenal approaches the weekend fixture managing yet another injury. Defender Ben White has been declared unavailable with a strain that is anticipated to see him miss action for a few weeks.

Evolved Priorities

Even with the fitness woes and the high-stakes environment, Arteta is confident the club's “focus and dialogue” are vastly different from when he first arrived.

Arteta highlighted the team's performances as a sign they are nearing their goal. “Consider 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 seen before in the past. And we want to achieve even higher goals. And if we do that, I think we are on the correct trajectory to winning.”