Arsenal have lost just one game at home this season. That isn’t the most impressive statistic in this article, but it is a great starting point to highlight the improvement made from the previous campaign.
At the end of November in 2020, Arsenal had already lost three home matches to Leicester City, Aston Villa and Wolves.
Crowds had just returned after months away and face masks were being used to famously cover the eyes and distract from what was happening on the pitch.
Fast forward a year and only Chelsea - an exceptionally good and expensively assembled Chelsea - have been able to overcome Mikel Arteta’s side inside their own four walls.
The start of the 2020/21 season was dire, there is no argument against that. However, since taking over in December of 2019, Arteta has won more points than any other manager at home barring the title-chasing trio of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.
In that time 67 points have been earned and a gradual improvement, helped by two summers’ worth of investment in current starting players, has been noticeable.
Arteta continues to divide the fan base and it is clear to see why. Last season was terrible.
After falling out of Europe entirely and being eliminated from the Europa League semi-final by former Gunners head coach Unai Emery, there was sure to be a bitterness about how 20/21 ended.
However, despite calls for the Spaniard to depart from many within the supporter base, the club has stuck with Arteta and prior to West Ham’s match against Manchester City, after 13 games Arsenal sit level on points with the fourth-placed Hammers.
Considering that the top six was the expected target, ensuring a path back into one of the top two UEFA competitions, so far, the situation is promising.
The Emirates must continue to be a foundation for the club to build from.
Away form is the greater concern and, with trips to both Manchester United and Everton to come in the space of five days, these matches will provide far more context as to how far the club has come.
Yet, wins away at Burnley and Leicester City, notable places of recent difficulty for Arsenal, have certainly added to the confidence.
The 4-0 drubbing at Anfield grounded expectations somewhat, as will any loss of points at Old Trafford or Goodison Park, but this overall progression is proving to be key in bringing the most critical of Arteta doubters around.
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