Purple Patch in the League, Bounced From the FA Cup

 This not watching Arsenal thing is working out.  Instead of agonizing over every missed chance and misplaced pass, I just check LiveScore every so often--too often--and try to distract myself with other things.  It doesn't always work.  I listened to the audio for the last ten minutes of the Southampton win.  I watch the highlights after we win, and try to forget what happened if we lose.  Our position in the table has improved since Christmas, but we're still in 9th and would be in 11th if the teams with games in hand win them.  But we're rather close to the Europa League places and not entirely out of touch with top four (though there are a lot of teams above us that have five or more points on us, and games in hand).  But we can only beat the team in front of us, which this Saturday will be Man U, which just got beaten at home by the league's bottom side, Sheffield United.  I'll start to believe we've turned the corner if we can get three points off the Red Devils.  A point would be acceptable. 

The Cup loss to Southampton was regrettable but with all the injuries it was only a matter of time until we were eliminated.  The draw did us no favors, but we were beaten by a squad that was better on the day. 

Well, personnel moves are really coming together. The Odegard loan might be very good.  We finally say goodbye to Ozil and Sokratis (I liked the big Greek, but he was surplus), and it looks as though Mustafi is going.  I'm not sure about AMN and Nelson, and hasn't Torreira left?  It looks as if Balogun does not see his future at Arsenal, more's the pity.  Chambers isn't going anywhere.  We're still a trifle light on #10s, but between Odegard and Smith-Rowe it could be enough, now that it's just the EPL and EL to deal with.  If Partey stays fit, we could have a very nice midfield setup.  It's a good mix of veterans and young guys, too.

I don't know what Auba's "personal issues" are, but they have to be serious for him to miss games.  Let's hope it gets resolved, for his sake.  He seems like a nice guy.  In the meantime, we have just managed to plug the scoring gap, between Laca, Saka, Pepe, Martinelli, and cameos from a couple others.  I'm not sure where Nketieh fits in anymore, but I still like him.  We may have to sell.

Lampard fired...it seems dumb to me.  Man U stuck with Solskjaer through the rough patch and it was the right move.  I'm convinced Arteta is the man for Arsenal too, and I hope he is the manager next year wherever we finish this season.

I Knew I Shouldn't Watch It...Arsenal 0-0 Crystal Palace

 That was an awful game.  My second post in this blog recommended "right viewing" and this game convinced me that watching Arsenal games live is a terrible idea for me.  I'm in a constant state of anxiety or frustration, depending on who has the ball where.  If we go a goal up, I know it'll probably be a desperate struggle to keep the opponents from scoring the rest of the way.  If we go down a goal, the game is almost certainly over.  I follow the score when I don't see it live, and when Arsenal went up 3-0 to Chelsea, I figured I'd turn it on--they'll show highlights afterward.  The first action was the Chelsea goal.  Then the penalty.  That's when I turned it off, figuring this was nature's way of telling me not to jinx the Gunners.  With me not watching, Leno saved the pen and all was well.  The Palace game was not fun at all.  They had the better chances (such as they were); we really didn't look as though we were even going to force their keeper into a good save.  This was a game I expected us to win.

The talent is there.  Hiring Willian was idiotic.  Buying Pepe was criminal at that price (maybe literally).  I'm still not sure what they saw in Cedric.  But the academy is coming up trumps, and the Tierney purchase was a great move.  We'll see if Partey can stay on the field.  I think we'll be all right as long as Leno doesn't get hurt.  The boys will be doing it without my full attention, which I'm sure is fine with them.

I like Mikel.  I do wonder if he can get the best out of this crew.  Those who were eager to push Wenger out (I was one) are finding out that he was not the problem after all.  Arsenal is not as fun to watch these days, and we sit in 11th.

Arsenal, I Can't Stay Mad at You

 I find I'm happier not watching the games live, win or lose, and may keep that up, though I'm tempted to watch the Palace game Thursday.  I'm delighted that Holding got a pay raise and extension; I love that guy.  The kids are doing great.  I'll be very happy with 7th place and a deep cup run.  We need European football.  I don't understand how we could let the GK situation get this dangerous, but let's hope Leno stays healthy.