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There's no doubt why Arsenal are now many people's top picks 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 overcome all of them in the current season, but lost 10 points across those games as they fell away in the title race last season.

Impenetrable Defense

Arsenal's backline resilience is a key reason why they are seeming ready to ultimately achieve their title ambition.

They lead the league for clean sheets (6), goals conceded (3), opposition efforts (72), quality opportunities against (19) and expected goals against (5.3).

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

Dead-Ball Dominance

Their threat from set-pieces is widely recognized, but opposition teams still find it difficult to contain the Gunners from these chances.

They have scored 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 perform multiple roles now. The whole team has a daunting aura. People are just afraid of them and it is wonderful to see."

Title Potential

What is especially impressive about Arsenal's commencement 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 continue triumphing, their traditional rivals 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 outset, having invested around £250m on eight summer signings in search of that long-awaited first title since 2004.

But the investment has so far proven successful in impressive fashion, with his side one of the most prolific attacks in the league and possessing the tightest defense, despite several injuries.

• Unbreached games in three consecutive Premier League games
• Nearly 6.5 hours without allowing a goal
• Only three goals in 12 games across all competitions

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