Mikel Arteta has openly stated that his continued tenure as Arsenal manager is intrinsically linked to delivering major trophies, as he prepares to mark six years in charge at the Emirates Stadium.
The Silverware Question Looms Large
The Spaniard, who was appointed on 20 December 2019, enjoyed immediate success by lifting the FA Cup in his first season. However, that victory remains his sole piece of major silverware since taking over from Unai Emery. Arteta will officially celebrate his sixth anniversary when Arsenal face Everton on Saturday night – the same opponents they played the day after his appointment was announced.
With his contract extension signed in 2024 running for another 18 months, Arteta is acutely aware of the expectations. When questioned about potentially staying beyond 2027, he offered a pragmatic response. "Yes, but it’s about today," Arteta said. "A lot of things have to happen in the next few months as well to earn the right. I think a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow."
Earning the Right Through Player Trust
Arteta emphasised that his survival in the high-pressure role depends not just on results, but on the daily relationship with his squad. He pointed to the unwavering commitment of his players as the foundation of his work. "You open that door, you confront them, you talk to them … And for six years, I’ve seen just players with a level of attention, desire to learn and give the maximum to the team," he explained.
He added that while support from the club's ownership and board is excellent, the players' belief is paramount. "That is what it gives me in this job. Nothing else. And obviously winning a lot of football matches, that percentage-wise I think is quite high. So that’s the only way. If not, you cannot survive in this environment."
Injury Woes and Unwavering Belief
Arsenal's campaign continues to be hampered by fitness issues, with Ben White the latest casualty due to a hamstring injury expected to keep him out for weeks. This adds to a staggering tally of more than 100 injuries since the start of last season.
Despite the physical setbacks and the intense scrutiny, Arteta remains bullish about the club's trajectory. He believes the club's "priorities and messaging" have evolved dramatically since his arrival and that they are on the cusp of achieving their ultimate goals.
"You look at the performances, all the records that we had that they were breaking in the history of the club …" he stated. "We still haven’t managed to do that [win trophies]. But that tells you the level that we are in, which is a level that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And that we want to achieve even higher goals. And if we do that, I think we are on the right path to winning."
The immediate challenge sees Arsenal potentially being knocked off the top of the Premier League table for the first time since mid-October if Manchester City win their early kick-off against West Ham. The pressure for tangible success, as Arteta himself concedes, has never been higher.
