Mikel Arteta pinpoints biggest Arsenal achievement after 250 games amid trophy drought question

Mikel Arteta has pinpointed his biggest achievement as Arsenal manager, with the former midfielder about to rack up his 250th game as Gunners boss.

The 42-year-old took over as head-coach at the Emirates Stadium nearly five years ago after Unai Emery was dismissed in December 2019. Since then, Arteta has overseen a massive overhaul at the club, with his side going from back-to-back 8th-placed finishes to serial Premier League title contenders.

Along the way there have been some massive milestones. Huge wins, exhilarating last-minute winners, and a style of play which has brought joy to fans both in the stadium and around the world.

But how does he view his achievements since taking charge? That was the question asked of him at a press conference ahead of his 250th game as Gunners boss on Saturday, at home to Nottingham Forest.

"Extremely grateful. Very happy," he told reporters when asked how satisfied he was with his time at the club. "I've enjoyed every minute of it. I enjoyed it because of the people that I work with every single day and because I understand how lucky we are to be sitting where we are. You always want more. I feel a huge pride to see how the people who work in the organisation feel about the club right now.

"What we transmit as a football club, as a team and the people that I work with. But it's about winning at the end. You want to win more, you want to win big trophies and we are on that journey."

But the biggest achievement since he joined?

"Bringing the club together, 100%," he said. "Lifting the spirit, giving a very clear DNA to the football club, and pride. To representing this shirt, from the players to everyone involved in the club, in the way that is expected at this level.

"[Trophies] is not the only thing as you need to maintain a lot of the things you do. Sometimes you achieve them but they can drop very quickly so it is maintain them. That is a word you have to do consistently every single day and now it is about winning, that is the next step for sure."

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