Mikel Arteta Acknowledges Future Tenure Is Tied to Securing Silverware.
Ahead of marking his sixth anniversary as manager, Mikel Arteta has stated plainly that his continued role with the club is inextricably linked to achieving success.
Reflecting on: From Appointment to Present
The former Arsenal captain was appointed on 20 December 2019 and promptly led the team to an cup win a short time later. However, that initial silverware stands as his sole top-tier trophy since succeeding Unai Emery.
“I can,” Arteta responded when questioned about remaining in charge after his current deal. “However, it is about today. And a lot of things need to fall into place in the near future as well to deserve that opportunity.”
He will mark the landmark with a game facing Everton, the very same club Arsenal faced the day after his hiring was confirmed.
Present Challenges
As trailing Manchester City set to face West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal could be displaced top spot in the Premier League for the first time. This comes despite Arteta managing a squad that has endured more than a century of fitness issues over the course of last season.
Arteta currently has 18 months to run on the extension he agreed to in 2024, but is acutely aware that success is required in the immediate future.
Earning the Right
He went on to explain, emphasizing the constant necessity to justify his role. “I think a manager has to earn 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, praising the consistent faith from the hierarchy, yet identifying the team's buy-in as paramount. “At the end, the critical component are those players... For six years, I’ve seen just players with a degree of commitment, willingness to improve and give the maximum to the team.”
Squad Setbacks
The team heads into the weekend fixture managing yet another injury. Defender Ben White has been declared unavailable with a hamstring injury that is anticipated to keep him out for the coming weeks.
Evolved Priorities
Even with the availability issues and the high-stakes environment, Arteta feels the club's “focus and dialogue” are vastly different from when he began his reign.
Arteta highlighted the squad's displays as proof they are close. “Examine the performances, all the records that we... were breaking... We still have yet to do that [win trophies]. But that shows 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 greater objectives. And if we do that, I think we are on the right path to winning.”