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As he approaches his six-year milestone in charge, Mikel Arteta has stated plainly that his future at Arsenal is directly connected to delivering trophies.

The Journey So Far: Six Years in Charge

The former Arsenal captain took over on the 20th of December in 2019 and soon guided the team to an cup win not long after. But, that early success stands as his only top-tier trophy following the departure of Unai Emery.

“Absolutely,” Arteta responded when questioned about his future past 2027. “Yet it's about today. And a lot of things must occur in the coming months as well to deserve that opportunity.”

This weekend sees the six-year milestone with a fixture against Everton, the exact opponent Arsenal met just after his role was made public.

The Current Landscape

Given that trailing Manchester City taking on West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal could be displaced top spot in the Premier League prior to their fixture. This comes despite Arteta managing a squad that has endured over 100 injuries from the beginning of last season.

The manager is tied down by 18 months to run on the deal he signed in 2024, however, he knows 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 talk here, how you go into the dressing room, the instructions you give.”

He stated further, expressing gratitude for the consistent faith from the board and owners, but pinpointing the team's buy-in as most crucial. “Ultimately, the critical component are those players... During my tenure, I’ve seen just players with a standard of focus, hunger for knowledge and give the maximum to the team.”

Latest Fitness Blow

The team faces the weekend fixture coping with an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a muscle problem that is likely to keep him out for a few weeks.

Evolved Priorities

Even with the injury crisis and the immense scrutiny, Arteta believes the club's “objectives and communication” are profoundly distinct from when he initially took over.

Arteta highlighted the team's performances as a sign they are nearing their goal. “Examine the performances, all the historical marks we surpassed... We still have yet to do that [win trophies]. But that tells you the caliber we've reached.”

In closing, the manager stated, “This is a standard that the Premier League has not witnessed in the past. And our aim is to achieve greater objectives. And if we do that, I think we are on the right path to winning.”