As he marks six years at the helm, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta asserts that his transformational project has positioned the club squarely among the elite, primed to compete for the game’s highest honors. With Arsenal leading the Premier League table, the Spaniard’s long-term rebuild has crystallized into sustained contention, shifting the club’s trajectory from top-four aspirants to perennial title challengers.
Arteta, who took charge in December 2019, reflected on the holistic progress beyond silverware as his team prepares for a pivotal festive period, starting with a trip to his former club Everton on Saturday. A victory at Goodison Park would ensure Arsenal sit atop the Premier League at Christmas for a second consecutive season—a symbolic milestone as they pursue a first league crown in over two decades.
“The transformation has been across the club: in terms of size, revenues, the squad we’ve built, its value, and the sporting success, even though we haven’t won any major trophies yet,” Arteta stated in his pre-match press conference on Friday. “I think it’s very, very consistent. So we’re in the right place.”
While an FA Cup triumph in 2020 remains the sole major trophy of his tenure, the underlying metrics of Arteta’s project reveal a stark reversal of fortune. The club endured six consecutive seasons outside the top four prior to his arrival but has now secured second-place finishes in each of the last three campaigns, alongside a return to the UEFA Champions League.
Currently, Arsenal hold a two-point advantage over defending champions Manchester City, though their lead has been slightly trimmed in recent weeks following a draw at Chelsea and a narrow defeat at Aston Villa. The demanding holiday schedule—featuring six matches across three competitions between December 20 and January 8—presents both a test and an opportunity to solidify their standing.
When asked about his festive wishes, Arteta’s response was unequivocal. “Win, win, win, win, win all the games,” he said. “The rest will come naturally. My mood, my energy is going to be much better if we win, so that’s what I want.”
As Arteta reaches this personal milestone, the narrative has evolved from one of rebuilding to one of delivery. With the club restored to prominence both domestically and in Europe, the next step—turning consistent contention into championship glory—remains the clear and present objective for Arteta’s Arsenal.