What does another trophy-less season mean for Mikel Arteta?

Arsenal fans are left disappointed with yet another season without a major trophy, confirmed after their exit from the Champions League earlier this month.

Their lacklustre performances in the Premier League since the new year created a wide path for Liverpool to claim their second title since 2020, not to mention their pre-emptive exits from other domestic tournaments.

All this has fans wondering, what is Mikel Arteta's expiration date? How much longer will the club continue with the Spaniard's "process"?

What does another trophy-less season mean for Mikel Arteta?

Here are the facts. The club has spent over $800 million during his tenure. The academy has provided several players including Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, and Myles Lewis-Skelly that have either developed or risen to top class under Arteta's leadership. Almost all of the traditional "Big Six" clubs have gone through multiple seasons of struggle. And yet, in Arteta's five-and-a-half years as manager, he has successfully won the Community Shield and FA Cup once each. That's it.

For context, in the last five years of Wenger's time at the club, he won the FA Cup three times and the Community Shield another three times, while a large portion of the fanbase pleaded for his departure – some more vehemently than others. So the question begs, how much longer will Arteta last, and why does the club continue to back him?

To his credit, the Spaniard has taken a team that was directionless and in desperate need of a culture shift. They were heading nowhere under the ill-fated reign of Unai Emery, but Arteta's has helped turn the tide after a tough start to his tenure. Now, Arsenal are a team that consistently contends for the Premier League title, has a similar pull as other top European clubs to attract high-level players from around the world, no longer loses to domestic rivals, and can produce standout performances on big European nights as they did against Real Madrid, twice.

Although there is not much silverware to show for it, the club appears to view this improvement as no small feat, continuing to trust him with management of the team.

However, without trophies, Arteta's time is limited. Simply put, he must have the silverware to back up his success. All Arsenal fans are craving a Premier League title, especially since it has been over 20 years since their last one and have been painstakingly close the past several seasons. Arteta simply has to deliver. If not a Premier League title, then a Champions League success or at least multiple domestic trophies in the same year.

If the end of next season rolls around with nothing to show, it may be time for Arsenal to seek new management.

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