Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal must still develop a killer instinct against the smaller teams if they are to catch the country's top sides.
The Gunners have won two trophies in the past three months and made another step forward under Arteta with Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool on Thursday night.
But last season they drew 14 league games - the joint-most in the division - including six on home soil.
Arteta has challenged his side to make the Emirates a fortress - starting on Sunday against Sheffield United, who were among the teams to leave north London with a point last year.