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It's evident why Arsenal have become many people's preferred choice to win the Premier League in the current campaign.

Look at their results against West Ham and Crystal Palace compared to those same matches during the prior term.

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

Defensive Strength

Arsenal's backline resilience is a key reason why they are seeming ready to at last realize their title ambition.

They rank top for shutouts (6), shots let in (3), shots faced (72), dangerous chances allowed (19) and anticipated concessions (5.3).

The defensive partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba is potentially the strongest in the league, with Arsenal recording 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 find it difficult to neutralize 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 resulting from these situations.

"Arsenal can perform multiple roles now. The whole team has a intimidation presence. People are just fearful of them and it is wonderful to see."

Title Credentials

What is particularly notable about Arsenal's beginning to the campaign is they have also encountered Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United at opposition grounds and Manchester City at home - and are still ahead by four points at the top.

While they continue triumphing, their historic competitors are struggling. This marks the premier instance 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 expectations was on head coach Mikel Arteta at the beginning, having spent around £250m on eight summer additions in search of that coveted first title since 2004.

But the spending has so far paid off in impressive fashion, with his side one of the most prolific attacks in the league and having the strongest defense, despite several injuries.

• Clean sheets in each of their last three Premier League games
• Over six hours without conceding a goal
• Only three goals in 12 games across all competitions

Former players and experts have labeled Arteta's men as a "juggernaut, looking challenging to stop" with the whole club now performing with conviction and determination.