🔗 Share this article 'People are fearful' - why 'juggernaut' Arsenal have become the side to defeat. Gabriel Magalhaes marks Arsenal's win over Crystal Palace The proof is undeniable why Arsenal are now countless pundits' favorites to claim the Premier League this season. Examine their performances against West Ham and Crystal Palace in contrast with those identical matches in the previous campaign. The Gunners have beaten all of them during this campaign, but dropped 10 points across those games as they fell away in the title race in the prior campaign. Impenetrable Rearguard Arsenal's defensive solidity is a primary factor why they are looking well positioned to at last realize their title target. They stand first for unbreached games (6), goals conceded (3), opposition efforts (72), quality opportunities against (19) and anticipated concessions (5.3). The defensive partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba is potentially the finest 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 opposition teams still don't know how to contain the Gunners from these chances. They have registered 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 fear factor. People are just wary of them and it is wonderful to see." Title Claims What is especially impressive about Arsenal's beginning to the campaign is they have also played Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United on the road and Manchester City in their own stadium - and are still four points clear at the top. While they maintain victories, their long-standing opponents aren't faring so well. This marks the premier instance 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 start, having allocated around £250m on eight summer additions in search of that long-awaited first title since 2004. But the business has so far paid off in impressive fashion, with his side one of the most prolific attacks in the league and possessing the most resilient defense, despite numerous injuries. Clean sheets in three consecutive Premier League games 385 minutes without letting in a goal Only a trio of goals in 12 games across every tournament Former players and pundits have labeled Arteta's men as a "powerhouse, looking difficult to stop" with the whole club now operating with confidence and purpose.