🔗 Share this article 'People are fearful' - why 'powerhouse' Arsenal have become the team to beat. Gabriel Magalhaes celebrates Arsenal's win over Crystal Palace There's little doubt why Arsenal have become countless pundits' top picks to secure the Premier League in the current campaign. Look at their outcomes against West Ham and Crystal Palace in contrast with those same matches during the prior term. 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 previously. Defensive Prowess Arsenal's defensive strength is a primary factor why they are looking well positioned to at last realize their title ambition. They stand first for shutouts (6), goals conceded (3), attempts against (72), quality opportunities against (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. Dead-Ball Excellence Their effectiveness from free kicks is highly documented, but opposition teams still struggle to stop the Gunners from these chances. They have registered 11 times from set-pieces in the league, a couple extra than any other side, with 69% of their goals resulting from these situations. "Arsenal can excel in various aspects now. The whole team has a fear factor. People are just fearful of them and it is great to see." Championship Credentials What is even more impressive about Arsenal's beginning to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United away from home and Manchester City on home turf - and are still ahead by four points at the top. While they keep winning, their traditional rivals are struggling. This marks the initial occasion at this juncture 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 boss Mikel Arteta at the start, having invested around £250m on eight summer additions in pursuit of that long-awaited first title since 2004. But the investment has so far proven successful in impressive fashion, with his side among the highest scorers in the league and possessing the strongest defense, despite numerous injuries. Unbreached games in three straight Premier League games Over six hours without allowing a goal Only a handful of concessions in 12 games across every tournament Former players and analysts have labeled Arteta's men as a "juggernaut, looking hard to stop" with the whole club now performing with conviction and determination.