🔗 Share this article

There's little doubt why Arsenal have become many people's favorites to win the Premier League this season.

Examine their outcomes against Newcastle and Crystal Palace in contrast with those equivalent matches during the prior term.

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

Impenetrable Defense

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

They rank top for clean sheets (6), goals conceded (3), opposition efforts (72), shots on target faced (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 Mastery

Their effectiveness from free kicks is highly documented, but rival sides still don't know how to contain the Gunners from these chances.

They have registered 11 times from set-pieces in the league, two more 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 daunting aura. People are just fearful of them and it is excellent to see."

Championship Credentials

What is even more notable about Arsenal's commencement to the campaign is they have also encountered Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United on the road and Manchester City on home turf - and are still ahead by four points at the top.

While they continue triumphing, their traditional rivals aren't faring so well. This marks the initial occasion 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 head coach Mikel Arteta at the beginning, having allocated around £250m on eight summer additions in search of that long-awaited first title since 2004.

But the investment has so far yielded results in style, with his side second top scorers in the league and having the most resilient defense, despite several injuries.

• Unbreached games in three consecutive Premier League games
• Nearly 6.5 hours without allowing a goal
• Only a trio of goals in 12 games across various contests

Former players and experts have described Arteta's men as a "powerhouse, looking hard to stop" with the whole club now functioning with belief and purpose.