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It's obvious why Arsenal have become many people's preferred choice to secure the Premier League this season.

Examine their outcomes against Newcastle and Crystal Palace in contrast with those equivalent matches during the prior term.

The Gunners have overcome all of them during this campaign, but dropped 10 points across those games as they fell away in the title race previously.

Defensive Prowess

Arsenal's backline resilience is a key reason why they are looking well positioned to finally fulfil their title target.

They lead the league for clean sheets (6), shots let in (3), attempts against (72), dangerous chances allowed (19) and anticipated concessions (5.3).

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

Dead-Ball Superiority

Their effectiveness from free kicks is widely recognized, but rival sides still struggle to neutralize the Gunners from these chances.

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 fear factor. People are just afraid of them and it is great to see."

Championship Pedigree

What is particularly notable about Arsenal's start to the campaign is they have also played Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United away from home and Manchester City on home turf - and are still leading by four at the top.

While they keep winning, their long-standing opponents are struggling. 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 scrutiny was on manager Mikel Arteta at the beginning, having invested around £250m on eight summer additions in pursuit of that long-awaited first title since 2004.

But the investment has so far paid off in style, with his side one of the most prolific attacks in the league and boasting the strongest defense, despite several injuries.

• Clean sheets in three straight Premier League games
• 385 minutes without letting in a goal
• Only three goals in 12 games across every tournament

Former players and experts have described Arteta's men as a "juggernaut, looking hard to stop" with the whole club now operating with conviction and purpose.