🔗 Share this article

There's no doubt why Arsenal have become numerous fans' preferred choice to win the Premier League in the current campaign.

Consider their performances against Fulham and Crystal Palace compared to those equivalent matches in the previous campaign.

The Gunners have defeated all of them during this campaign, but dropped 10 points across those games as they fell away in the title race last season.

Defensive Prowess

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

They lead the league for unbreached games (6), goals conceded (3), opposition efforts (72), dangerous chances allowed (19) and xGA (5.3).

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

Dead-Ball Dominance

Their danger from dead balls is widely recognized, but rival sides still struggle to contain the Gunners from these situations.

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

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

Championship Pedigree

What is especially remarkable about Arsenal's start to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United at opposition grounds and Manchester City on home turf - and are still ahead by four points at the top.

While they maintain victories, their traditional rivals face difficulties. 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 expectations was on head coach Mikel Arteta at the start, having invested around £250m on eight summer additions in pursuit of that coveted first title since 2004.

But the spending has so far yielded results in style, with his side among the highest scorers in the league and possessing the most resilient defense, despite several injuries.

• Clean sheets in three straight Premier League games
• Nearly 6.5 hours without letting in a goal
• Only three goals in 12 games across every tournament

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