🔗 Share this article

It's clear why Arsenal are now countless pundits' preferred choice to win the Premier League during this term.

Examine their results against West Ham and Crystal Palace versus those identical matches last season.

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

Impenetrable Defense

Arsenal's backline resilience is a crucial element why they are appearing strong to ultimately achieve their title goal.

They stand first for clean sheets (6), goals conceded (3), opposition efforts (72), quality opportunities against (19) and xGA (5.3).

The central defensive pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba is possibly the finest in the league, with Arsenal keeping a clean sheet in six of their first nine games.

Set-Piece Proficiency

Their effectiveness from free kicks is well known, but competing clubs still don't know how to stop the Gunners from these chances.

They have registered 11 times from set-pieces in the league, several additional than any other side, with 69% of their goals resulting from these situations.

"Arsenal can do a bit of everything now. The whole team has a intimidation presence. People are just wary of them and it is wonderful to see."

Title Credentials

What is even more notable about Arsenal's beginning to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United on the road and Manchester City in their own stadium - and are still ahead by four points at the top.

While they keep winning, their long-standing opponents aren't faring so well. This marks the premier instance at this point 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 manager Mikel Arteta at the outset, having invested around £250m on eight summer acquisitions in pursuit of that elusive first title since 2004.

But the business has so far yielded results in impressive fashion, with his side second top scorers in the league and boasting the tightest defense, despite numerous injuries.

• Clean sheets in each of their last three Premier League games
• Over six hours without letting in a goal
• Only a trio of goals in 12 games across every tournament

Former players and analysts have labeled Arteta's men as a "unstoppable force, looking hard to stop" with the whole club now operating with belief and determination.