Mikel Arteta hinted that he might stay at Arsenal after his current contract ends, but also said he needs to earn a new deal.

The game against Everton this Saturday marks six years since the Spaniard became the Gunners' boss.

The 43-year-old has a year and a half left on his contract. He's got a lot of say at the club after turning things around in his six years.

Arteta went from head coach to manager after winning the FA Cup in 2020. People think he's one of the most powerful bosses in the Premier League because he has so much control.

When asked if he could see himself staying with Arsenal past 2027, Arteta said, Yeah, but it's about what's happening now. A lot has to happen in the next few months so I can earn that right. You have to earn the right to be here. It's about how you act, how you talk, how you are in the locker room, the message you send, and how much the players follow you.

I've always said you need support. I've got it from the owners and the great board. But the most important are the players. You talk to them, and they either listen or they don't.

For six years, I've seen players who pay attention, want to learn, and give it their all for the team. That's why I'm still here. Nothing else. And, of course, winning a lot of games, which I think we've done a pretty good job of. If not, you can't last in this job.

Bukayo Saka is talking about a new contract, and Declan Rice is expected to get a new offer soon, too.

When asked if, during these talks, the players ask if Arteta will be around for the long haul, he said, "They do ask me, but I have to be honest with them; I don't know." It's not up to me.

Am I happy here? Do I feel like I have the energy to take this club forward? Yes, 100%. But I don't think it just depends on me. They have to decide based on how they feel.

Plus, it's a good sign when you're talking to a player, and they really want to stay and aren't even considering other options. It means the club is treating them well, and they think this is the place where they can reach their goals.

Arsenal's coach, Mikel Arteta, says Ben White won't play against Everton this Saturday because of an injury. But he had good news about Gabriel and Kai Havertz getting better, and he said not to worry about Martin Zubimendi.

White got hurt in the 2-1 win against Wolves last weekend. He had to leave the game because he seemed to hurt his hamstring.

With lots of games coming up, Arteta didn't want another player injured. He said White will miss the next few games.

Arteta said in his press meeting, Yeah, he's out. He's getting better, but it's not too bad. He'll be out for a bit, I think.

I don't think it's a big deal, and Ben gets better fast, so we hope he'll be back soon.

But Gabriel Magalhaes is getting close to playing again, which is good news for Arsenal. He's been out since getting hurt playing for Brazil in early November.

Arteta said, He's working hard, like always, and getting better. He's working out on the field, so he's close to coming back. We'll see how he does in the last part of his recovery, but we're hopeful.

There was some worry about Martin Zubimendi because he trained alone after the Wolves game.

But Arteta said it was just to manage the workload of players who have played a lot recently.

Arsenal recently got Gabriel Jesus back after a bad injury. He'd been out since January with a knee problem from the FA Cup game against Manchester United.

And it sounds like Kai Havertz is also getting close to playing again after hurting his knee against Ruben Amorim's team back in August.

But Arteta is being careful about when Havertz will be back. He wants to make sure he's fully recovered before he plays again.

Arteta said, He's getting better fast. If he keeps doing well in practice, he'll be back with us.

I don't want to say exactly when he'll play again because we need to be careful in the last part of his recovery. We need to be sure he's ready for the long haul.

Viktor Gyokeres has had an inconsistent season, missing most of November with an injury. He came back as a substitute against Chelsea and then started against Club Brugge and Wolves.

Arteta said it's taken time for the striker to adjust since coming back to England, but he thinks Gyokeres can do more.

Arteta said he had to get used to the league and didn't have a preseason. He needs that. He then played well for a while, and now he's back. I've seen good things from him, and we need to understand him better.

It's a big change for him, but he's working hard and is committed. That's great. We need time and to be there for him.

[Will he be better in the second half of the season?] Yes, I think so.