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There's little doubt why Arsenal are now many people's top picks to secure the Premier League this season.

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

The Gunners have defeated all of them during this campaign, but surrendered 10 points across those games as they dropped off in the title race in the prior campaign.

Defensive Prowess

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

They rank top for shutouts (6), goals conceded (3), shots faced (72), dangerous chances allowed (19) and xGA (5.3).

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

Dead-Ball Dominance

Their effectiveness from free kicks is well known, but competing clubs still find it difficult to stop the Gunners from these situations.

They have notched 11 times from set-pieces in the league, two more than any other side, with 69% of their goals coming from these situations.

"Arsenal can excel in various aspects now. The whole team has a intimidation presence. People are just afraid of them and it is great to see."

Championship Pedigree

What is even more notable about Arsenal's start to the campaign is they have also faced 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 maintain victories, their historic competitors are struggling. This marks the initial occasion 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 beginning, having invested around £250m on eight summer additions in quest of that elusive first title since 2004.

But the spending has so far paid off in style, with his side among the highest scorers in the league and possessing the strongest defense, despite multiple injuries.

• Unbreached games in each of their last three Premier League games
• 385 minutes without allowing a goal
• Only three goals in 12 games across various contests

Former players and analysts have described Arteta's men as a "powerhouse, looking challenging to stop" with the whole club now operating with belief and resolve.