🔗 Share this article 'People are fearful' - the reasons 'powerhouse' Arsenal have become the team to beat. Gabriel Magalhaes celebrates Arsenal's win over Crystal Palace There's no doubt why Arsenal are now many people's preferred choice to win the Premier League in the current campaign. Look at their results against Newcastle and Crystal Palace compared to those same matches during the prior term. The Gunners have defeated all of them in the current season, but dropped 10 points across those games as they dropped off in the title race last season. Impenetrable Defense Arsenal's backline resilience is a primary factor why they are appearing strong to at last realize their title goal. They lead the league for unbreached games (6), goals allowed (3), opposition efforts (72), dangerous chances allowed (19) and expected goals against (5.3). The central defensive pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba is arguably the best in the league, with Arsenal recording a clean sheet in six of their first nine games. Dead-Ball Dominance Their effectiveness from free kicks is highly documented, but competing clubs still struggle to stop the Gunners from these situations. They have notched 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 perform multiple roles now. The whole team has a fear factor. People are just wary of them and it is great to see." Title Potential What is even more notable about Arsenal's start to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United on the road and Manchester City at home - and are still leading by four at the top. While they keep winning, their historic competitors are struggling. 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 scrutiny was on head coach Mikel Arteta at the outset, having invested around £250m on eight summer signings in quest of that long-awaited first title since 2004. But the investment has so far paid off in impressive fashion, with his side second top scorers in the league and possessing the tightest defense, despite several injuries. Unbreached games in three consecutive Premier League games Nearly 6.5 hours without allowing a goal Only three goals in 12 games across various contests Former players and analysts have described Arteta's men as a "juggernaut, looking difficult to stop" with the whole club now operating with confidence and resolve.