Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal must now take the next step as he marks five years in the job.
Arteta has revitalised and reinvented the Gunners since his arrival in 2019, but on the anniversary of his appointment, he spoke of his determination to bring Premier League glory to Emirates Stadium.
Despite transforming the club from eighth-placed finishers to a team challenging for the title, the 42-year-old accepts he still must improve "in all areas".
Arteta said: "I’m really grateful to be in the position that I’m in right now, and that I have a lot to learn, a lot to improve and the best is yet to come.
"This is what we want, to bring the big trophies and without losing the rest of the things that we have built."
The Spaniard added: "I'm here because I'm so passionate about what I do because I love this football club. It's gone so fast and I've enjoyed every minute of it.
"We've had bumps in the road and good moments, that's what it's about.
"I want the best of that and try to give the best version every day. I think about what is the best possible manager for Arsenal Football Club and for the players and I try to become that.
"We have built something together, everybody is hungry and ambitious that now we have to go to another level."
Arteta's five years at Arsenal
Commitment. Accountability. Passion.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 20, 2024
Five incredible years of Mikel Arteta - here's to many more memorable moments ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0nSzavPTsZ
Arteta's stats so far
Since the Spaniard's appointment in December 2019, only Manchester City (429) and Liverpool (396) have won more Premier League points than Arsenal's 366.
They have picked up 22 more points in his 188 league matches as manager than in their previous 188.
Last season, Arsenal won 28 of their 38 matches and scored 91 goals, both of which were records for the club in the Premier League. With 89 points, they finished as runners-up to Man City for the second season running.
As for all competitions, Arteta has been in charge for 256 matches in total, winning 155 (60.5 per cent). His side have scored 502 goals, averaging almost exactly two per match (1.96).
His only trophy as Arsenal boss so far is the FA Cup, won at the end of his first season in charge, 2019/20.
What's next for Arteta?
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s visit to Crystal Palace, Arteta wants Arsenal to be major title contenders again this season.
When he signed his new contract back in September, the manager made it abundantly clear that honours are now crucial and said: "We have to add trophies to that, for sure. And we will do our best to achieve that."
The club are six points behind leaders Liverpool and addressing what areas he needs to improve on as coach, he responded: "In all of them.
"I was very obsessed with the tactical aspect when I arrived but after two months I realised there was no tactics to do because we were sitting at home (during Covid). We had to look after the emotional and physical well-being of the players. You have to evolve.
"You have to live in the present in this job. You can prepare for the mid to long-term but you have to be in the moment to understand how things are working and putting processes in place to make better decisions."
