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

Consider their results against Fulham and Crystal Palace versus those same matches last season.

The Gunners have beaten all of them during this campaign, but lost 10 points across those games as they faded in the title race last season.

Defensive Strength

Arsenal's defensive solidity is a crucial element why they are looking well positioned to ultimately achieve their title goal.

They lead the league for clean sheets (6), goals conceded (3), attempts against (72), dangerous chances allowed (19) and expected goals against (5.3).

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

Dead-Ball Superiority

Their danger from dead balls is well known, but competing clubs still don't know how to contain the Gunners from these opportunities.

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 afraid of them and it is wonderful to see."

Title Potential

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

While they keep winning, their historic competitors aren't faring so well. 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 pressure was on manager Mikel Arteta at the beginning, having spent around £250m on eight summer acquisitions in pursuit of that elusive first title since 2004.

But the business has so far yielded results in remarkable manner, with his side one of the most prolific attacks in the league and possessing the most resilient defense, despite multiple injuries.

• Clean sheets in each of their last three Premier League games
• Nearly 6.5 hours without conceding a goal
• Only a trio of goals in 12 games across all competitions

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