Wenger - Why home advantage is so vital

Arsene Wenger says that playing in front of your own fans is the single biggest advantage that a team can have.

The Gunners have only won two of their Premier League games at Emirates Stadium so far this season, but three of their four away matches.

While Wenger accepts there is less difference between home and away games than in the past, he says the biggest factor remains the support of the crowd.

“When you look at the history of all these games, most are decided by the first goal,” the boss told Arsenal Player. “A new scientific study within the Champions League last year found that, more than ever, the team who scores first wins.

"Why? Because it puts the team in a very strong position to be able to counter-attack, and that is the easiest way to attack without opening yourself up.

“Having said that, I think on a longer distance the current numbers about away games will be reversed. I recently read a scientific study that covered all types of sport and what came out was that home teams are still favourites to win games, and not because of the motivational factor of the players but purely because of the support of the crowd.

“In a variety of sports, they came to the scientific conclusion that the biggest advantage of the team that plays at home is the support of the crowd. That’s not my impression; it’s the result of a scientific study.

“They eliminated all the other factors that could come in. It was a simple conclusion - it’s the home support that gives the advantage of the team. This home support can also turn against the home team if you don’t start well and if you are 1-0 down, but it also shows that influence is very strong.”