Mikel Arteta has admitted that while he feels the pressure to deliver silverware, success at Arsenal cannot be defined solely by trophies. The Spaniard is under the spotlight as his side prepare for a tricky Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, just weeks after a bruising defeat to rivals Liverpool.
Forest, already a challenging opponent, arrive at the Emirates buoyed by the appointment of Ange Postecoglou. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss guided Spurs to Europa League glory last season but was still sacked days later after finishing 17th in the league. It was a stark reminder of how nuanced the definition of “success” can be in modern football — a point Arteta was quick to highlight.
“It’s my ambition, the pressure is ambition for sure. Since the day I stepped in this football club,” Arteta told reporters. “If you don’t win enough football matches you are out in this industry, that’s for sure. How many, that varies from one place to another. As a character, as a person, what [Postecoglou] transmits, what he brings to football, it’s a joy to watch the team that always enjoyed it and learn from it.”
By referencing Postecoglou’s dismissal, Mikel Arteta hinted that silverware alone cannot guarantee job security — nor is it always the ultimate benchmark of progress.
Does Mikel Arteta have to win the Premier League?
Arsenal’s title credentials remain under scrutiny. Taken in isolation, the 2025 summer window makes it hard to insist that Mikel Arteta must win the league, given Liverpool spent over £400m — a record for any club in a single window. But context matters.
Since arriving in 2019, Mikel Arteta has been backed to the tune of around £1bn in transfer fees, building a squad very much in his own image. Arsenal also spent close to £250m this summer, while raising just £6.7m in sales. That level of investment inevitably increases pressure.
Chelsea and Manchester City have both spent similar sums in recent years but backed it up with trophies. For Arsenal, the expectation is that the time for “project” talk is over. The squad is among the strongest in Europe, and supporters want tangible rewards — with the Premier League crown viewed as the ultimate target.
Can Arsenal win the Champions League?
Domestically, Arsenal face a daunting challenge against a Liverpool side transformed under Arne Slot. But the Champions League may offer an equally compelling opportunity.
The Gunners reached the semi-finals last season, only to fall to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain after spurning key chances. Mikel Arteta has since added depth, signing Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres to strengthen the attack, while defenders Piero Hincapié and Cristhian Mosquera add resilience at the back.
With one of Europe’s best defensive records and more attacking firepower, Arsenal are equipped to grind out results and overturn deficits in knockout football. While they may not be outright favourites, they should be considered serious contenders.
The bigger picture
Ultimately, Arteta’s comments reflect the balancing act of elite management.
