Where does Mikel Arteta see himself in ten years? He answers while still at Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta made a bold and life-changing decision five years ago when he left Manchester City to take on the role of head coach for Arsenal. And now, after a year of being at the helm, the 42-year-old Spaniard can confidently say that he absolutely loves his job and is certain that he will still be managing the team a decade from now, preparing for a Boxing Day fixture.

Arteta returned to Arsenal in December 2019, taking over from Unai Emery after his turbulent 18-month reign at the Emirates. In the past five years, Arteta has played a crucial role in bringing the Gunners back to the top of the Premier League and has also led them to victory in both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

Despite a recent dip in form between October and November, Arsenal showed signs of returning to their best in a dominant 5-1 win over Crystal Palace. And with a match against Ipswich just two days away, Arteta's men will be looking to pick up where they left off.

However, the team will have to face their busy winter schedule without star player Bukayo Saka, who is sidelined for several weeks due to a hamstring injury. In an interview with Sky Sports ahead of the Ipswich game, Arteta shared his favorite memories of the festive period and also gave a glimpse into where he sees himself in ten years' time.

When asked if he envisions himself preparing for a Boxing Day fixture a decade from now, Arteta replied, "Yeah, in ten years...I'm 42 so I will be 52. I think so. If you still have the energy to do it...If you asked me now, 'Do you see that possibility?', then I would say probably yes."

Arteta also expressed his love for his job, saying, "It's my choice at the end of the day to decide my profession and I decided to do this because I absolutely love it. It has its challenges, but the positives outweigh them by far."

In terms of the current Arsenal squad, Arteta believes that they must win major trophies consistently in order to be considered legends of the club in the future. When asked if he thinks some of his players will achieve legendary status in ten years' time, Arteta said, "I hope so. But I think to get there you have to win major trophies consistently and that's what takes you there."

And when it comes to what will make him happy and fulfilled at the Christmas dinner table in ten years' time, Arteta simply wants to be surrounded by his loved ones. "That they want to be with me. That my family and friends, I pick up the phone and they have the possibility to come to London, if we are here, or somewhere else and they decide to be sitting next to us and spending time with us," he shared.

So, will Arteta still be managing Arsenal in ten years? Based on his love for the job and his desire to continue, it seems highly likely. But only time will tell.

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