🔗 Share this article The Gunners' Boss Acknowledges Future Role Is Tied to Winning Trophies. On the eve of his six-year milestone at the helm, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his continued role with the club is fundamentally dependent to delivering trophies. The Journey So Far: The Arteta Era The Spanish coach took over on December 20th, 2019 and managed to steer the team to an FA Cup victory not long after. Yet, that first major trophy stands as his lone major honor following the departure of Unai Emery. “I can,” the manager said in response to a query about his future past 2027. “Yet it's about today. And a lot of things need to fall into place in the near future as well to warrant that continuation.” This weekend sees the six-year milestone with a match versus Everton, the very same club Arsenal faced the day after his role was made public. The Current Landscape Given that second-placed Manchester City set to face West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal could be displaced first place in the Premier League prior to their fixture. This situation arises despite Arteta presiding over a squad that has been plagued by more than a century of fitness issues from the beginning of last season. He is tied down by 18 months to run on the deal he signed in 2024, yet understands fully that results must come sooner rather than later. Survival in the Job The manager expanded, stressing the ongoing need to justify his role. “My belief is that a manager needs to warrant the right to be here tomorrow. And that depends on how you react, how you address the media, how you go into the dressing room, the signal you send.” Arteta continued, expressing gratitude for the unwavering support from the board and owners, but pinpointing the squad's dedication as the key factor. “In the final analysis, the key individuals are those players... During my tenure, I’ve seen just players with a standard of focus, willingness to improve and dedicate themselves to the team.” Injury Concerns The team heads into the upcoming game managing yet another injury. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a hamstring injury that is anticipated to keep him out for several weeks. A Different Club Even with the fitness woes and the immense scrutiny, Arteta feels the club's “priorities and messaging” are vastly different from when he initially took over. The manager referenced the record-breaking achievements as proof they are close. “Examine the performances, all the records that we... were breaking... We still haven’t managed to do that [win trophies]. But that indicates the caliber we've reached.” Arteta concluded, “That is a level that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And our aim is to achieve more lofty ambitions. And if we do that, I think we are on the proper course to winning.”