🔗 Share this article The Gunners' Boss Admits Future Role Depends on Lifting Trophies. As he approaches his six-year milestone in charge, Mikel Arteta has admitted that his longevity in North London is fundamentally dependent to achieving success. Reflecting on: Six Years in Charge The former Arsenal captain was appointed on December 20th, 2019 and promptly led the team to an cup win a short time later. However, that early success remains his only significant piece of silverware after taking over from Unai Emery. “Absolutely,” Arteta responded in response to a query about staying beyond 2027. “However, it is about today. And a lot of things must occur in the coming months as well to earn the right.” He will mark the six-year milestone with a game facing Everton, the very same club Arsenal faced just after his role was made public. League Position and Pressure With chasing Manchester City set to face West Ham earlier in the day, Arsenal risk losing top spot in the Premier League for the first time. This comes despite Arteta overseeing a squad that has been plagued by over 100 injuries since the start of last season. The manager currently has 18 months to run on the contract he inked in 2024, yet understands fully that he must deliver in the immediate future. Earning the Right He went on to explain, stressing 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 talk here, how you go into the dressing room, the signal you send.” He added, commending the consistent faith from the hierarchy, while singling out the squad's dedication as the key factor. “In the final analysis, the critical component are those players... Over this half-decade, I’ve seen just players with a degree of commitment, hunger for knowledge and give their all to the team.” Squad Setbacks The team heads into the upcoming game managing a fresh setback. Defender Ben White has been ruled out with a muscle problem that is expected to keep him out for the coming weeks. A Different Club Even with the fitness woes and the intense pressure, Arteta believes the club's “focus and dialogue” are completely changed from when he first arrived. The manager referenced the record-breaking achievements as a sign they are nearing their goal. “Consider the performances, all the records that we... were breaking... We still have yet to do that [win trophies]. But that shows the level we are at.” Arteta concluded, “That is a level that the Premier League has not seen before in the past. And we want to achieve greater objectives. And if we do that, I think we are on the proper course to winning.”