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Ahead of marking his sixth anniversary at the helm, Mikel Arteta has admitted that his continued role with the club is directly connected to winning major honors.

The Journey So Far: From Appointment to Present

The former Arsenal captain took over on December 20th, 2019 and managed to steer the team to an FA Cup victory within months. Yet, that initial silverware is still his sole significant piece of silverware after taking over from Unai Emery.

“I can,” the manager said when questioned about his future past 2027. “Yet it's about today. And many things need to fall into place in the next few months as well to earn the right.”

This weekend sees the anniversary with a fixture against Everton, the identical team Arsenal played immediately following his role was made public.

Present Challenges

With chasing Manchester City set to face West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal could be displaced the summit in the Premier League for the first time. This situation arises even with Arteta presiding over a squad that has been plagued by more than a century of fitness issues over the course of last season.

He currently has a year and a half left on the contract he inked in 2024, but is acutely aware that success is required promptly.

Earning the Right

Arteta elaborated, highlighting the ongoing need to prove his worth. “In my view a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. And that is determined by how you react, how you communicate, how you go into the dressing room, the signal you send.”

He added, praising the strong backing from the hierarchy, yet identifying the team's buy-in as the key factor. “Ultimately, the most important ones are those players... Over this half-decade, I’ve seen just players with a level of attention, hunger for knowledge and give their all to the team.”

Squad Setbacks

Arsenal approaches the upcoming game managing an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a strain that is anticipated to sideline him for the coming weeks.

A Different Club

Regardless of the injury crisis and the high-stakes environment, Arteta feels the club's “objectives and communication” are vastly different from when he first arrived.

The manager referenced the team's performances as evidence of progress. “You look at the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still have yet to do that [win trophies]. But that tells you the level we are at.”

In closing, the manager stated, “This is a standard 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 right path to winning.”