After 3 consecutive seasons finishing as runners-up, coach Mikel Arteta spent the entire summer of 2025 looking for a solution to the problem of bringing Arsenal to the Premier League throne.
In the 2024-2025 season, the "Gunners" are affected by many unpredictable factors. From a long injury list, controversial red cards and even having to allocate forces to the Champions League. However, there were many problems beyond Arteta's control.
In May, the Spaniard frankly admitted: "We have to try to increase the gap. The larger the gap, even when unexpected things happen, it will be difficult for the opponent to catch up".
Experts also point out areas where Arsenal need to improve. That is the addition of a classy striker, increasing the depth of the squad to share the burden with pillars such as Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard or William Saliba. These are all people who have been absent at key points in recent seasons. The Gunners have also taken action to resolve the issue with new contracts and upgrading the quality of personnel.
Now, after a brave opening day win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, Arteta will have to face another familiar problem from previous seasons: home form. This is the factor that will determine whether Arsenal really break through to be crowned champion or not.
Most Premier League champions in the past decade have an overwhelming home record. Therefore, one of Arteta's top priorities this season is to turn the Emirates into a real fortress, instead of being an easy-to-uses place like previous seasons.
In the 2024-2025 season, Arsenal have dropped points in 8/19 home matches, only winning 39 points - a record that still lost to all 5/6 direct competitors in the top, except Newcastle (38). This number shows instability, especially in the context of the Emirates being the launching pad for their championship series in the golden period.
Not only in the Premier League, home stadium has also become a symbol of Arsenal in cup competitions. They fell to Man United with only 10 men in the FA Cup, lost to Newcastle in the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals and were left out of the Champions League by Paris St-Germain right at the Emirates.
Compared to the standards of champions, the difference becomes even more obvious. On average, in the last 10 seasons, the Premier League champions have earned 48.5 points at home. Arsenal's record last season (39 points) was even lower than any team that has won the title in all 30 of the 38 Premier League seasons. Notably, even in the unbeaten 2003-2004 season, the "Gunners" only earned 49 points at the Emirates.
Of course, Arsenal are not the only team to suffer at home. The 2024-2025 season will see a new record of away wins in the context of a full return to the stands - up to 132 matches.
In the history of the Premier League, only in the 2020-2021 season, when football was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, did it record more away wins (153). At that time, most matches will take place on the field without spectators or with limited fans, creating a low- advantage environment for the home teams.
It is noteworthy that this trend is no longer temporary. All 5 seasons with the most away wins have appeared in the last 7 campaigns. This shows that the balance of home advantage is gradually changing in the modern football era.
"The first home match is always special. The atmosphere will create a different source of energy. We missed the fans, and I believe they miss the team.
We are here to win big titles, constantly improve and progress. That comes with high demands, and we are ready to face it," Arteta said ahead of the Leeds game.
