Stephen Musungu
Mikel Arteta has marked six years in charge of Arsenal by insisting the club is now “in the right place” to compete for major trophies, underlining the significant progress made since his appointment in December 2019. When the former Arsenal captain took over, the club was struggling for direction, sitting in mid-table and lacking a clear identity after a period of decline. Arteta’s task was to restore belief, improve standards and rebuild a squad capable of challenging at the top level once again.
His early impact brought immediate success with the FA Cup in 2020, a triumph that offered hope and patience during a difficult transition. However, the seasons that followed were challenging, with Arsenal finishing eighth in back-to-back Premier League campaigns and missing out on European football. Arteta faced criticism over results and squad decisions as he oversaw the departure of several senior players, choosing instead to commit to a long-term rebuild centred on younger talent.
That strategy has since transformed Arsenal into consistent title contenders. The Gunners have pushed Manchester City closely in recent Premier League races and re-established themselves in the Champions League. Arteta has built a squad defined by energy, technical quality and tactical discipline, with players such as Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, William Saliba and Declan Rice forming the spine of the team. A clear playing identity based on high pressing and controlled possession has been key to their resurgence.
Reflecting on his six-year milestone, Arteta stressed that Arsenal are no longer in a rebuilding phase but are now positioned to turn progress into silverware. He highlighted improvements across the club, including recruitment, squad depth and mentality, while acknowledging that trophies remain the ultimate benchmark. Despite their development, the FA Cup win early in his reign remains his only major honour, and near-misses in the league have shown how small the margins are at the top.
Arteta has been clear that standards must continue to rise. Competing for titles, he insists, is not enough without winning them. His message to players and staff has remained consistent: focus on winning matches and maintaining intensity, with long-term success built on daily excellence. The pressure has increased as expectations grow, but Arteta believes the foundations in place will support sustained success.
As Arsenal continue to challenge at the top end of the table, the anniversary serves as a reminder of how far the club has come under Arteta’s leadership. From a side searching for direction to one competing with Europe’s elite, the transformation has been clear. The next challenge is converting promise into trophies, a step that will ultimately define Arteta’s legacy and confirm whether Arsenal’s return to the top is complete.
