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It's obvious why Arsenal stand as many people's top picks to claim the Premier League this season.

Consider their results against Newcastle and Crystal Palace in contrast with those equivalent matches in the previous campaign.

The Gunners have beaten all of them in the current season, but surrendered 10 points across those games as they dropped off in the title race previously.

Impenetrable Rearguard

Arsenal's backline resilience is a crucial element why they are seeming ready to at last realize their title target.

They lead the league for shutouts (6), shots let in (3), attempts against (72), shots on target faced (19) and expected goals against (5.3).

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

Dead-Ball Superiority

Their threat from set-pieces is highly documented, but competing clubs still don't know how 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 perform multiple roles now. The whole team has a fear factor. People are just afraid of them and it is great to see."

Championship Credentials

What is particularly remarkable about Arsenal's start to the campaign is they have also played Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United at opposition grounds and Manchester City in their own stadium - and are still ahead by four points at the top.

While they maintain victories, their traditional rivals face difficulties. This marks the first time 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 pressure was on head coach Mikel Arteta at the beginning, having spent around £250m on eight summer signings in quest of that coveted first title since 2004.

But the investment has so far paid off in style, with his side second top scorers in the league and having the strongest defense, despite numerous injuries.

• Clean sheets in three consecutive Premier League games
• 385 minutes without allowing a goal
• Only a handful of concessions in 12 games across various contests

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