Mikel Arteta has the potential to surpass Arsene Wenger’s accomplishments and become a four-time Premier League title winner with Arsenal, according to former Gunners midfielder Stefan Schwarz. Speaking to GOAL, Schwarz noted that “the hardest one is always the first one,” a milestone that the Spanish manager has already achieved at the Emirates Stadium, paving the way to establish a new era of dominance in north London.

Arteta guided Arsenal to their first Premier League crown since the days of the ‘Invincibles’, ending a long wait for silverware that stretched back to 2003-04.

That success could have arrived earlier if not for three consecutive seasons in which the Gunners narrowly missed out as runners-up before finally clinching the championship. The remarkable achievements of Wenger’s unbeaten 2003-04 side have now been matched, reestablishing Arsenal among England’s elite.

Wenger, who spent 22 transformative years at the club, led Arsenal to three league titles while managing legends such as Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira. His legacy as ‘Le Professeur’ set an incredibly high bar for any successor to follow.

Today’s Arsenal squad – featuring standout talents like Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes – continues to evolve, with each transfer window bringing fresh investment and ambition. If Arteta maintains this upward trajectory, further major honours, including a maiden UEFA Champions League title, could soon be within reach.

When asked whether Arteta can overtake Wenger’s record, Schwarz, speaking on behalf of Betinia, said: “I think the hardest one is always the first one. They have been very close the other three years. So sometimes it gives the players a certain confidence, a certain belief.”

He further explained: “They have done it. They know they are capable of it, so their mental strength will be much stronger this season. They know they have done it, so they are not in a new situation. They are in a situation that they have done.”

“So it will be much more positive, more resilient, can handle the pressure better. Because to win a title or a Premier League, you need to know how to suffer. You need to be very strong. It's not the good games that make you a champion, it's the lesser games that you have maybe not performed but still get the results. It's making the difference,” Schwarz added. “I believe the squad is very good. They have the right manager. It seems like it can be very positive for next season.”

Reflecting on his own long-term future, Arteta said: “I think the manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. That is how you react, how you talk here, how you go in the dressing room, the message that you send, how much the players follow you.”

When asked about the prospect of matching Wenger’s longevity, he added: “I always said that you need support, I said it before. From the ownership and the board, it's great. At the end, the most important one is those players. You open that door, you confront them, you talk to them and they are like this [surprised] or they are like this [sleeping].”

“For six years, I have seen just players with a level of attention and desire to learn and give the maximum to the team. That is what keeps me in this job. Nothing else. And, obviously, winning a lot of football matches that, percentage wise, I think is quite high. That is the only way. If not, you cannot survive in this environment.”

Arteta’s current deal runs until the summer of 2027, but discussions over an extension are expected to take place well before then as Arsenal looks to secure his long-term future. The club is eager to maintain the stability that has led to recent success.

The Gunners are set to return to pre-season training shortly, with a series of friendlies leading up to their Community Shield encounter against Manchester City on August 16. Five days later, Arsenal will begin their 2026-27 Premier League campaign at home against newly-promoted Coventry City.