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There's no doubt why Arsenal are now many people's top picks to secure the Premier League this season.

Look at their results against West Ham and Crystal Palace compared to those equivalent matches in the previous campaign.

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

Defensive Prowess

Arsenal's defensive solidity is a crucial element why they are looking well positioned to finally fulfil their title target.

They stand first for shutouts (6), goals allowed (3), shots faced (72), shots on target faced (19) and expected goals against (5.3).

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

Set-Piece Mastery

Their effectiveness from free kicks is well known, but rival sides still don't know how to stop the Gunners from these chances.

They have notched 11 times from set-pieces in the league, a couple extra 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 wary of them and it is wonderful to see."

Championship Claims

What is even more impressive about Arsenal's beginning to the campaign is they have also played Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United at opposition grounds and Manchester City on home turf - and are still four points clear at the top.

While they maintain victories, their long-standing opponents face difficulties. This marks the premier instance at this juncture 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 boss Mikel Arteta at the outset, having allocated around £250m on eight summer acquisitions in quest of that elusive first title since 2004.

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

• Clean sheets in each of their last three Premier League games
• Nearly 6.5 hours without letting in a goal
• Only a handful of concessions in 12 games across all competitions

Former players and pundits have described Arteta's men as a "juggernaut, looking challenging to stop" with the whole club now functioning with belief and purpose.