With Arsenal not performing on the pitch and frustrating us off it, it’s pretty important for Gooners to try and find positives at this dark time.

‘It’s only football’ is a phrase thrown around a lot during the Premier League season – mostly by non-football fans of course. And, while it’s true, ‘football’ is a lot more than just a sport to many.

For a large number of fans, it’s an outlet. A way to escape reality. However, when the escape becomes less fun than reality, you lose that outlet.

While I want to keep this piece light-hearted, since I don’t believe any of us need any more seriousness in our lives, I think it’s important to remember that there’s a reason some fans seem to have been hit harder by this season than others.

As someone who suffers from major depression and anxiety, I’d be naive if I told myself that Arsenal don’t affect my moods.

Writing about Arsenal is my job, win or lose, so when my mental health isn’t fantastic, which it hasn’t been this year, the negative results really take their toll.

Staying positive is essential for my sanity.

Here are 10 reasons to stay positive when Arsenal are ruining your life.

1. Perspective

Even if football is a huge part of your life, or even career, taking some time out, especially when it’s negatively effecting you, can only be a good thing.

For example, after the Carabao Cup defeat, I switched everything off and spent the evening with my partner, watching a movie and eating Doritos.

2. It’s not forever

Even though it feels like this bad patch will go on forever, something will change. Something’s got to give.

3. Pizza exists

It’s nice.

4. Arsenal signed Aubameyang

The dude is one of the best strikers in Europe.

5. Arsenal’s attack is very good on paper

Just because we suck at the moment, doesn’t mean we always will. On paper, we have a really exciting attacking line-up.

6. Arsenal have fewer injuries

True story – we seem to have nipped our injury woes in the bud.

7. Backroom reshuffle

Arsenal have appointed the likes of Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi, which suggests that changes are happening behind the scenes.

8. Mesut Ozil signed a new deal

Okay, we may have to remortgage the Emirates but still.

9. Deadwood is going

Arsenal have recently offloaded a tonne of deadwood, which is encouraging.

10. You don’t support Spurs

That’s got to be a positive, right?