Arsenal's difficulties away from home in recent times have been well-documented, and last Sunday's 1-0 victory over Burnley was only the second time this season they've taken three points on the road.
At home, however, it's a different story. Whisper it, but the Emirates is becoming something of a fortress. Sure, it's not always the most intimidating atmosphere, but when you look at the results the Gunners have made it a difficult place for the opposition to visit.
They've won all six of their home games this season, scoring 15 times and conceding just four goals -- three of which were in the opening game. You have to go back to April for the last time they failed to win -- a 2-2 draw with Manchester City. Arsene Wenger's men haven't lost at home since going down 2-1 to Watford in January.
It augurs well for a week in which they play at home twice in four days. Ahead of a crucial clash with Manchester United at the weekend comes the visit of newly promoted Huddersfield. On paper it's a fixture Arsenal would be expected to win without too much trouble but David Wagner's side have shown themselves to be tricky opponents this season.
Having already beaten United, they came close to holding a previously rampant City to a draw last Sunday, so it's no surprise to hear Arsene Wenger say his focus on Wednesday's game is total.
"Zero eye," he said when asked if he had one eye on the encounter with old nemesis Jose Mourinho at the weekend, but his team selection will perhaps be informative.
Wenger never publicly talks about having first team players and squad players, insisting every member of his group has the quality to play at any time, but this season we've seen a much clearer division of talent than in the past.
There's the Premier League selection, and then the players who have been tasked with making progress in the Europa League and Carabao Cup. The distinction between the two competitions has been clear, yet the lines may become blurred a little as we head into the most hectic time of the year.
The Frenchman certainly won't underestimate Huddersfield, but despite what he says he'll know his best chance of getting a win against United is to ensure his best team is as fresh as it can be. So, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a few changes with the likes of Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud and Jack Wilshere all in contention to start.
IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images
He also has to assess the fitness of Laurent Koscielny, who is troubled by a persistent and chronic Achilles' tendon problem. Can he play three games in a week without aggravating it? With Per Mertesacker, Rob Holding, and a fit-again Calum Chambers all capable of deputising, it's not as if he's short of options, and a cautious approach over the French international is probably wise.
It would then ensure his best back three -- Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal -- are ready to continue their impressive record at the weekend. When that trio have started in the league this season, five times in total, Arsenal have won each game and have not conceded a single goal. Against a team with the firepower of United have, that's a measure of reassurance he'll be desperate to have.
First and foremost, they have to keep that home record going against Huddersfield. Three games in a week is challenging, and a run of fixtures like that can have a significant and rapid effect on the league table.
Arsenal don't need any reminding about how quickly things can change. The mood following the defeat at Manchester City was glum, to say the least, but a win in the North London derby and the victory over Burnley have catapulted them into the top four ahead of Tottenham and Liverpool.
The length of Wenger's tenure means his team faces far greater scrutiny than some of the others, but the recent results show that the perception of a club's performance doesn't always match the reality.
If they can maintain their home run this week and into the weekend, they'll find themselves in a very healthy position in the table, but the Arsenal boss must make sure he doesn't upset the balance too much for the Huddersfield clash. If he gets it right, they look good value to extend that impressive sequence.
Source: espn.co.uk