Arsenal’s board were once advised against sacking Mikel Arteta midway through a defeat to Everton—a decision that has since transformed the club’s fortunes and turned the Spaniard into one of the Premier League’s top managers.

The Gunners face Everton this Saturday in a critical fixture that they must win to maintain pressure on league leaders Liverpool. Last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Fulham left Arsenal six points adrift, with Liverpool holding a game in hand. Dropping further points against the Toffees at the Emirates Stadium could deal a significant blow to Arsenal’s title ambitions, especially as they have narrowly missed out on the championship in the last two seasons.

While falling short for a third consecutive year would undoubtedly frustrate fans, it is worth reflecting on how far the club has come since Arteta’s early struggles. Nearly four years ago, on 19 December 2020, Arteta faced the most precarious moment of his fledgling managerial career during a trip to Goodison Park. Less than a year into his tenure, the inexperienced coach was under immense pressure.

Arsenal, languishing near the relegation zone, succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton, with Rob Holding’s own goal and Yerry Mina’s header sealing their fate. The result extended a dire run of form—one win and seven losses in 10 league matches—during which Arteta’s side scored only four goals.

Despite mounting criticism, Jamie Carragher, the Sky Sports pundit, defended Arteta during half-time of the Everton match. Carragher implored Arsenal’s hierarchy to back their young manager, while criticising the club’s poor recruitment in previous seasons.

"For [Arsenal] to get back to where they want to be, they will have to go through a lot of pain, and they will," Carragher said. "A couple of signings they made this season, Gabriel [Magalhães], [Thomas] Partey—they could be a big part of Arsenal for years to come. But they need a few more players in the January transfer window. If Arteta can get six or seven players in, then he can be judged on the job that he’s doing. The recruitment has been shocking—absolutely shocking the last few years for Arsenal."

Carragher’s faith in Arteta proved justified. Just days later, Arsenal defeated Chelsea 3-1 on Boxing Day, thanks in part to the emergence of academy talent Emile Smith Rowe. That result marked the start of a resurgence, as Arsenal climbed out of the relegation battle to finish eighth that season.

The summer of 2021 proved pivotal in Arteta’s rebuilding project, with the acquisitions of Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, Martin Ødegaard, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. While Arsenal narrowly missed out on Champions League football during the 2021/22 campaign, finishing two points behind Tottenham, they used that setback as a learning experience.

Since then, Arteta has combined tactical acumen with strong recruitment to revitalise Arsenal. The Gunners returned to the Champions League and came agonisingly close to securing their first league title in two decades, finishing just two points behind Manchester City last season.

Arteta is acutely aware of the growing demand for silverware among fans, pundits, and players. While his ambitions have evolved significantly since 2020, a defeat to Everton this weekend could put him under renewed scrutiny. Nevertheless, the transformation Arsenal has undergone under Arteta’s leadership is a testament to the decision to stand by him during that difficult winter at Goodison Park.