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On the eve of his six-year milestone as manager, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his future at Arsenal is directly connected to achieving success.

A Look Back: Six Years in Charge

Arteta assumed control on 20 December 2019 and soon guided the team to an FA Cup triumph within months. But, that first major trophy remains his sole significant piece of silverware following the departure of Unai Emery.

“I can,” the manager said upon being asked about staying beyond 2027. “But it’s about today. And numerous factors need to fall into place in the coming months as well to warrant that continuation.”

This weekend sees the anniversary with a game facing Everton, the exact opponent Arsenal played the day after his role was made public.

The Current Landscape

With trailing Manchester City taking on West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal could be displaced the summit in the Premier League for the first time. This comes despite Arteta presiding over a squad that has been plagued by over 100 injuries since the start of last season.

The manager is under a contract with a year and a half left on the contract he inked in 2024, however, he knows that he must deliver promptly.

Survival in the Job

He went on to explain, emphasizing the ongoing need to justify his role. “My belief is that a manager has to earn 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 message you convey.”

Arteta continued, praising the unwavering support from the club's ownership, while singling out the players' commitment as most crucial. “In the final analysis, the most important ones are those players... For six years, I’ve seen just players with a level of attention, hunger for knowledge and give the maximum to the team.”

Squad Setbacks

The team approaches the weekend fixture dealing with an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a hamstring injury that is expected to sideline him for the coming weeks.

Evolved Priorities

Regardless of the availability issues and the immense scrutiny, Arteta believes the club's “focus and dialogue” are completely changed from when he began his reign.

The manager referenced the team's performances as proof they are close. “You look at the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still haven’t managed to do that [win trophies]. But that shows the level we are at.”

He finished by saying, “This is a standard that the Premier League has not witnessed in the past. And our aim is to achieve more lofty ambitions. And if we do that, I think we are on the right path to winning.”