Arsenal's Manager Admits Future Role Depends on Lifting Silverware.
On the eve of his six-year milestone in charge, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that his future at Arsenal is directly connected to delivering trophies.
Reflecting on: Six Years in Charge
The former Arsenal captain was appointed on December 20th, 2019 and managed to steer the team to an FA Cup victory not long after. Yet, that initial silverware is still his lone major honor following the departure of Unai Emery.
“Absolutely,” Arteta responded when questioned about remaining in charge after his current deal. “Yet it's about today. And numerous factors need to fall into place in the near future as well to warrant that continuation.”
He will mark the landmark with a game facing Everton, the exact opponent Arsenal played just after his appointment was announced.
The Current Landscape
As trailing Manchester City taking on West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal could be displaced the summit in the Premier League for the first time. This comes despite Arteta overseeing a squad that has endured over 100 injuries since the start of last season.
The manager is tied down by 18 months remaining on the extension he agreed to in 2024, however, he knows that success is required sooner rather than later.
Earning the Right
The manager expanded, stressing the ongoing need to justify his role. “In my view a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. And that’s how how you react, how you communicate, how you go into the dressing room, the message you convey.”
Arteta continued, praising the strong backing from the club's ownership, while singling out the players' commitment as most crucial. “Ultimately, the most important ones are those players... Over this half-decade, I’ve seen just players with a level of attention, willingness to improve and dedicate themselves to the team.”
Injury Concerns
Arsenal heads into the weekend fixture dealing with an additional absence. Defender Ben White has been declared unavailable with a muscle problem that is expected to keep him out for the coming weeks.
A Different Club
Even with the availability issues and the high-stakes environment, Arteta is confident the club's “priorities and messaging” are vastly different from when he initially took over.
He pointed to the squad's displays as a sign they are nearing their goal. “Examine the performances, all the records that we... were breaking... We still have yet to do that [win trophies]. But that tells you the caliber we've reached.”
He finished by saying, “That is a level that the Premier League has never experienced in the past. And our aim is to achieve even higher goals. And if we do that, I think we are on the right path to winning.”
