🔗 Share this article

The evidence is unmistakable why Arsenal have become numerous fans' favorites to secure the Premier League in the current campaign.

Consider their outcomes against West Ham and Crystal Palace in contrast with those identical matches in the previous campaign.

The Gunners have overcome all of them this time around, but dropped 10 points across those games as they dropped off in the title race last season.

Impenetrable Backline

Arsenal's defensive solidity is a primary factor why they are seeming ready to finally fulfil their title target.

They rank top for unbreached games (6), goals allowed (3), attempts against (72), quality opportunities against (19) and expected goals against (5.3).

The center-back duo of Gabriel and William Saliba is arguably the finest in the league, with Arsenal keeping a clean sheet in six of their first nine games.

Dead-Ball Excellence

Their threat from set-pieces is widely recognized, but competing clubs still don't know how to neutralize the Gunners from these opportunities.

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

"Arsenal can perform multiple roles now. The whole team has a daunting aura. People are just fearful of them and it is wonderful to see."

Championship Credentials

What is even more remarkable about Arsenal's start to the campaign is they have also played 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 keep winning, their traditional rivals are struggling. 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 pressure was on head coach Mikel Arteta at the outset, having invested around £250m on eight summer acquisitions in search of that long-awaited first title since 2004.

But the business has so far proven successful in remarkable manner, with his side among the highest scorers in the league and having the tightest defense, despite numerous injuries.

• Shutouts in three consecutive Premier League games
• Over six hours without allowing a goal
• Only a trio of goals in 12 games across all competitions

Former players and analysts have characterized Arteta's men as a "unstoppable force, looking challenging to stop" with the whole club now functioning with belief and purpose.