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It's evident why Arsenal stand as many people's top picks to secure the Premier League in the current campaign.

Consider their results against Newcastle and Crystal Palace in contrast with those identical matches during the prior term.

The Gunners have beaten all of them in the current season, but dropped 10 points across those games as they fell away in the title race in the prior campaign.

Impenetrable Backline

Arsenal's backline resilience is a crucial element why they are looking well positioned to finally fulfil their title goal.

They rank top for clean sheets (6), goals allowed (3), opposition efforts (72), shots on target faced (19) and xGA (5.3).

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

Dead-Ball Superiority

Their effectiveness from free kicks is highly documented, but competing clubs still struggle to contain the Gunners from these opportunities.

They have scored 11 times from set-pieces in the league, two more 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 wonderful to see."

Title Potential

What is especially notable about Arsenal's beginning to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United at opposition grounds and Manchester City at home - and are still four points clear at the top.

While they keep winning, their long-standing opponents aren't faring so well. This marks the initial occasion 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 expectations was on boss Mikel Arteta at the start, having spent around £250m on eight summer signings in quest of that elusive first title since 2004.

But the investment has so far proven successful in remarkable manner, with his side second top scorers in the league and boasting the tightest defense, despite several injuries.

• Clean sheets in each of their last three Premier League games
• 385 minutes without allowing a goal
• Only a trio of goals in 12 games across various contests

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