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Ahead of marking his six-year milestone as manager, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his continued role with the club is inextricably linked to achieving success.

The Journey So Far: From Appointment to Present

The former Arsenal captain took over on 20 December 2019 and managed to steer the team to an cup win not long after. However, that initial silverware stands as his sole top-tier trophy since succeeding Unai Emery.

“Absolutely,” the manager said upon being asked about his future past 2027. “However, it is 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 very same club Arsenal faced immediately following his role was made public.

League Position and Pressure

With second-placed Manchester City set to face West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal risk losing the summit in the Premier League before their own match begins. This situation arises even with Arteta managing a squad that has endured over 100 injuries over the course of last season.

Arteta currently has a year and a half left on the contract he inked in 2024, yet understands fully that he must deliver promptly.

Survival in the Job

He went on to explain, stressing the ongoing need 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 enter the dressing room, the signal you send.”

Arteta continued, praising the strong backing from the club's ownership, but pinpointing the team's buy-in as most crucial. “At the end, the most important ones are those players... Over this half-decade, I’ve seen just players with a degree of commitment, desire to learn and give the maximum to the team.”

Latest Fitness Blow

The team approaches the Everton match dealing with a fresh setback. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a strain that is anticipated to sideline him for the coming weeks.

A Different Club

Even with the injury crisis and the high-stakes environment, Arteta feels the club's “objectives and communication” are profoundly distinct from when he initially took over.

Arteta highlighted the team's performances as proof they are close. “You look at the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still have yet to do that [win trophies]. But that indicates the level we are at.”

In closing, the manager stated, “That is a level that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And our ambition is to achieve greater objectives. And if we do that, I think we are on the correct trajectory to winning.”