Arsenal looking in the right places ahead of Man Utd clash

The season can change in an instant. One minute it’s all doom and gloom with relegation jibes being directed by the way of north London and the next Arsenal are on track for their targets.

Losing to Liverpool unnecessarily saw all hell broke loose as Mikel Arteta’s sidep were back to being a dreadful side with issues aplenty. Victory over bottom dwelling Newcastle and everything is coming up roses. Emotions must be tempered both ways.

More such ups and downs are expected. Between now and January 1 Arsenal face a tough fixture list: Manchester United and Everton away, and West Ham and Manchester City at home all feature on the agenda, while fellow European chasers United and Tottenham boast a far kinder run of matches.

And these are the glances supporters are now taking. When the campaign was in its infancy it was all eyes on the Leeds’ and Aston Villa’s of the division. Such was the torrid beginning that focus was on those hoping to challenge around eighth spot. They were the competitors.

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Arsenal looking in the right places in the table ahead of Manchester United Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Thursday

But football changes with every game; the line between despair and optimism is a fine one. Preparing for a huge trip to Old Trafford on Thursday, Arsenal are not only fifth in the Premier League table, they also boast a cushion being there.

There is no room to be comfortable, though. None at all. However, now the fixtures being watched as December kicks in are those of the West Ham’s, United’s and Spurs’ of this world. That feels better. It’s more reassuring.

The aforementioned fixtures are as grand as they’ll come this term as it’s not only a case of securing points against United, it’s stopping them from collecting their own. Then Everton, who are in dire shape, needs to be a win as that’s a ground most of the rival teams Arsenal are competing with will take points from.

So if four points were on offer, a draw at Old Trafford and win at Goodison Park actually favours Arsenal for that reason, and not the other way around. They need to be collecting wins where their fiercest enemies all will. This shift in mentality means Arsenal are now looking in the right places; their eyes on a more alluring prize even if the top six was still the realistic pre-season goal.

A season still only a third of the way through will be stuffed full of further twists and turns. 13 games in though, and this is where fans are letting their focus shift to. After how everything began, that’s encouraging.

These other games matter far more now and while the team has its entire focus on beating the Red Devils, other fixtures in and around Arsenal matter more than they did. Keeping that going for as long as possible ensures Arsenal are doing the right things.

A five point cushion over United? Go out there and try to extend it to eight to keep little ol’ Arsenal plugging away in the background. What happens elsewhere now matters and apathy has been kept at bay. Long may that continue.