Fans have lost sight of the bigger picture at Arsenal as title talk has soured the reality

Taking things aside for a moment and taking you, reader, behind the curtain: this will be the last article I write before hitting that milestone so many dread - 30. It has got me thinking a lot about the bigger picture; in life, yes, but also with Arsenal and the scenario we find ourselves in.

I wish, considering the week it is personally, the mood was better with Arsenal; the form of late has been so incredibly dour and injuries continue to pile up. It has reached such a stage that Mikel Arteta is perhaps under the most pressure he has faced since the days of sitting in eighth place in the table two seasons in a row.

There are a lot of ultimatums flying around. 'If we finish here', 'if we don't win this', 'if this team win the league…' All of these and more continue to be brought up, and that is a frustration because so much has and can still happen this season.

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The fixtures Arsenal have had and the injuries they've suffered are tangible points that explain why what has happened, has happened. I think there is a real danger of losing sight of what we have by focusing on what we don't.

What Arsenal don't have is a title in more than two decades and a Champions League trophy in their entire history. While other clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have these, the online hysteria and poking from rival supporters of course weighs heavy on some more than others: not for me.

But we do want the league; I want the league and I want trophies. The irony is, and what I think is lost on so many, Mikel Arteta and those behind him through to the ownership have put Arsenal back in a position where the chances of those things being claimed are a reality. Five years ago they were not thought to even be on the horizon.

Arne Slot's arrival at Liverpool and their stellar start to the campaign with the nine-point gap that has opened only worsens the mood and view of the Gunners. The reality is of course that he's inherited a brilliant squad and the fixtures have been kinder for the Reds to build this momentum up, while their best players barring Alisson and Diogo Jota have remained available to Slot.

Our injuries have been frequent and hit important players at horrendous moments. Ending that 2-2 draw with Liverpool with a back four of Thomas Partey, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly tells you everything you need to know.

These aren't excuses as some try to claim, they are genuine reasons why we are where we are. I am confident that the return of Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori will be massive boosts to this team and then where there are no excuses is the January transfer window.

Arsenal have needs and have some financial freedom and they need to take advantage of it. Fail to do so and there will be very little room to hide - if any.

The bigger picture is this: while the mood is low, let us not lose sight of where we were and where we are now. The end to my 20s have been met with some of the most fun and joy I've ever experienced watching Arsenal.

The idea of chucking that all away because of a tough period costing us points a third of the way through the season I cannot get on board with. That conversation will come much later, if it is ever needed.