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As he approaches his sixth anniversary as manager, Mikel Arteta has admitted that his longevity in North London is inextricably linked to delivering trophies.

A Look Back: Six Years in Charge

The Spanish coach assumed control on December 20th, 2019 and soon guided the team to an cup win not long after. But, that early success stands as his lone significant piece of silverware following the departure of Unai Emery.

“I can,” he stated when questioned about remaining in charge after his current deal. “Yet it's about today. And many things need to fall into place in the near future as well to earn the right.”

He will mark the six-year milestone with a game facing Everton, the very same club Arsenal played immediately following his appointment was announced.

The Current Landscape

Given that trailing Manchester City set to face West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal face being knocked off first place in the Premier League for the first time. This comes despite Arteta overseeing a squad that has suffered in excess of one hundred injury setbacks since the start of last season.

The manager is under a contract with 18 months to run on the contract he inked in 2024, but is acutely aware that results must come in the immediate future.

Earning the Right

Arteta elaborated, emphasizing the constant necessity to validate his position. “In my view a manager needs to warrant the right to be here tomorrow. And that is determined by how you react, how you communicate, how you step into the dressing room, the instructions you give.”

He stated further, expressing gratitude for the consistent faith from the board and owners, yet identifying the team's buy-in as the key factor. “In the final analysis, the critical component are those players... During my tenure, I’ve seen just players with a level of attention, willingness to improve and give the maximum to the team.”

Latest Fitness Blow

Arsenal faces the upcoming game dealing with an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been declared unavailable with a strain that is likely to keep him out for several weeks.

Confidence in the Path

Even with the injury crisis and the immense scrutiny, Arteta believes the club's “objectives and communication” are profoundly distinct from when he began his reign.

Arteta highlighted the record-breaking achievements as evidence of progress. “Consider the performances, all the club records that were shattered... We still have yet to do that [win trophies]. But that tells you the standard we operate at.”

Arteta concluded, “It represents a quality 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 correct trajectory to winning.”