🔗 Share this article

There's no doubt why Arsenal have become countless pundits' top picks to win the Premier League during this term.

Look at their outcomes against Fulham and Crystal Palace in contrast with those equivalent matches in the previous campaign.

The Gunners have overcome all of them in the current season, but surrendered 10 points across those games as they fell away in the title race in the prior campaign.

Impenetrable Backline

Arsenal's defensive strength is a crucial element why they are looking well positioned to at last realize their title target.

They rank top for clean sheets (6), goals conceded (3), shots faced (72), quality opportunities against (19) and anticipated concessions (5.3).

The defensive partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba is potentially the best in the league, with Arsenal maintaining a clean sheet in six of their first nine games.

Set-Piece Proficiency

Their effectiveness from free kicks is well known, but opposition teams still struggle to stop the Gunners from these chances.

They have registered 11 times from set-pieces in the league, a couple extra than any other side, with 69% of their goals originating from these situations.

"Arsenal can excel in various aspects now. The whole team has a fear factor. People are just wary of them and it is wonderful to see."

Championship Claims

What is particularly remarkable about Arsenal's commencement to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United on the road and Manchester City at home - and are still four points clear at the top.

While they maintain victories, their long-standing opponents are struggling. This marks the premier instance at this stage of the season since 1992 that none of Manchester City and United, Liverpool or Chelsea are in the Premier League top four.

The scrutiny was on boss Mikel Arteta at the outset, having allocated around £250m on eight summer acquisitions in pursuit of that coveted first title since 2004.

But the investment has so far yielded results in remarkable manner, with his side second top scorers in the league and boasting the tightest defense, despite multiple injuries.

• Unbreached games in three straight Premier League games
• Over six hours without conceding a goal
• Only a handful of concessions in 12 games across every tournament

Former players and pundits have labeled Arteta's men as a "juggernaut, looking hard to stop" with the whole club now functioning with conviction and resolve.