Arsenal's trip to Everton on Saturday comes on the sixth anniversary of the Gunners' appointment of Mikel Arteta, but he says he must earn the right to extend his reign.

Arteta returned to the Emirates Stadium in 2019, three years after ending his playing career with Arsenal, following the dismissal of Unai Emery.

He has overseen a dramatic transformation in the club's fortunes, making them consistent Premier League title challengers after years in the wilderness, while also winning the FA Cup in his first campaign in charge.

Arteta's Premier League win percentage of 59% is the best of the five permanent managers to lead Arsenal in the competition, ahead of Arsene Wenger (57%), Emery (49%), Bruce Rioch (45%) and George Graham (37%).

But he has yet to lead the club to an elusive fourth Premier League crown, finishing as runners-up in three straight seasons. Last term's points tally of 74, meanwhile, represented a major drop-off from returns of 84 in 2022-23 and 89 in 2023-24.

Arteta is under contract until the end of the 2026-27 season, and though he wants to remain in his role for years to come, he knows he must earn that right.

Asked if he wanted to stay past 2027, Arteta told reporters: "Yes, but it is about today. A lot of things have to happen in the next few months as well, to earn the right.

"I think the manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. That is how you react, how you talk here, how you go in the dressing room, the message that you send, how much the players follow you.

"For six years, I have seen just players with a level of attention and desire to learn and give the maximum to the team. That is what keeps me in this job. Nothing else.

"And, obviously, winning a lot of football matches that, percentage-wise, I think is quite high. That is the only way. If not, you cannot survive in this environment."

Arteta has faced his former club Everton 11 times as a manager in the Premier League, winning five, drawing two and losing four – the teams drew both meetings last season.

A victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium will ensure the Gunners lead the table at Christmas for the third time in the last four seasons, having done so just twice in the first 30 Premier League campaigns. 

However, Arsenal have gone on to finish either second (2002-03, 2022-23, 2023-24) or third (2007-08) on each of those occasions, never winning the title from such a position.