In just over a month, Mikel Arteta will mark six years as Arsenal’s first-team manager, having officially taken charge on December 22, 2019. Returning to the club where he once played, the Spaniard aimed to improve on Unai Emery’s tenure, stepping into the formidable shadow left by Arsène Wenger.

A Trophy Drought Despite Attractive Football

From the start, Arteta earned the support of both the club and its fans, something Emery struggled to achieve. Yet, nearly 71 months into his reign, Arsenal have not become serial winners of silverware.

That is not to say the football isn’t compelling. The Gunners remain one of Europe’s most aesthetically pleasing teams when in full flow. Nor has Arteta lacked backing from the board, which has consistently provided him with the resources to improve the squad.

The question now is simple: how much longer can Arteta be given to turn his team into a trophy-winning force?

Building a Squad to Rival the Greats

Leaving the comfort of Pep Guardiola’s coaching setup at Manchester City, Arteta sought to build something special in North London — a team to be proud of and one capable of challenging the heights of The Invincibles.

With players like Declan Rice, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal’s quality on the pitch has undeniably improved. Yet, this has not translated into major trophies, which ultimately define a manager’s legacy.

As of now, Arsenal have managed just two Community Shields since Arteta’s first half-season FA Cup triumph in 2020, a tally that hardly cements his tenure.

Numbers Tell the Story

In 307 matches across all competitions, Arteta has recorded 183 wins, 57 draws, and 67 losses, deploying 81 different players. Only 14 goalless draws indicate just how exciting the team has been to watch, and 100 home wins over six seasons underline the squad’s consistency.

This season, Arsenal have started strongly: 14 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 loss from 17 games in all competitions, maintaining a win percentage above 50% throughout Arteta’s tenure. Yet, despite this, they are only four points clear of Manchester City, whose relentless form under Pep Guardiola will challenge Arsenal’s position at the top.

Challenges and Resilience

Injuries have tested Arteta’s squad this season. With key players such as Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus sidelined at various points, maintaining competitiveness has been impressive. The real test, however, comes early in the new year when domestic and European fixtures pile up.

Arsenal’s improvement is evident in set pieces and defensive solidity. They recently recorded five consecutive Premier League clean sheets, and a 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague in the Champions League marked their eighth successive clean sheet, equaling a club record from 1903.

Offensively, Arsenal lead the English top-flight with 11 set-piece goals so far this season, highlighting a tactical refinement that could prove decisive in their pursuit of silverware.

The Verdict

This season offers Arteta a chance to silence critics and solidify his legacy. If Arsenal can translate their exciting style and squad improvements into a trophy-winning campaign, his tenure is likely to continue with confidence from fans and the board alike.

Fail again, however, and the narrative may solidify: Arsenal remain the “nearly men” under Mikel Arteta, a team admired for their football but unable to consistently win trophies.