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It's clear why Arsenal have become many people's favorites to win the Premier League during this term.

Consider their outcomes against Newcastle and Crystal Palace versus those identical matches during the prior term.

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 defensive solidity is a crucial element why they are seeming ready to ultimately achieve their title goal.

They rank top for clean sheets (6), goals allowed (3), shots faced (72), quality opportunities against (19) and anticipated concessions (5.3).

The central defensive pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba is potentially the best in the league, with Arsenal recording a clean sheet in six of their first nine games.

Set-Piece Proficiency

Their danger from dead balls is highly documented, but rival sides still find it difficult to stop the Gunners from these opportunities.

They have registered 11 times from set-pieces in the league, several additional than any other side, with 69% of their goals coming from these situations.

"Arsenal can do a bit of everything now. The whole team has a intimidation presence. People are just fearful of them and it is excellent to see."

Title Potential

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

While they keep winning, their long-standing opponents 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 scrutiny was on boss Mikel Arteta at the outset, having invested around £250m on eight summer signings in pursuit of that elusive first title since 2004.

But the business has so far proven successful in impressive fashion, with his side among the highest scorers in the league and possessing the most resilient defense, despite multiple injuries.

• Unbreached games in three straight Premier League games
• Over six hours without allowing a goal
• Only a trio of goals in 12 games across various contests

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