🔗 Share this article 'People are fearful' - the reasons 'powerhouse' Arsenal are the team to beat. Gabriel Magalhaes celebrates Arsenal's victory over Crystal Palace There's little doubt why Arsenal stand as countless pundits' preferred choice to claim the Premier League this season. Consider their outcomes against Fulham and Crystal Palace versus those same matches during the prior term. The Gunners have overcome all of them during this campaign, but surrendered 10 points across those games as they faded in the title race in the prior campaign. Impenetrable Backline Arsenal's defensive strength is a primary factor why they are looking well positioned to at last realize their title goal. They stand first for clean sheets (6), goals conceded (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 finest in the league, with Arsenal maintaining a clean sheet in six of their first nine games. Dead-Ball Dominance Their danger from dead balls is well known, but competing clubs still don't know how to contain the Gunners from these chances. They have notched 11 times from set-pieces in the league, several additional than any other side, with 69% of their goals originating from these situations. "Arsenal can do a bit of everything now. The whole team has a fear factor. People are just wary of them and it is excellent to see." Title Potential What is especially impressive about Arsenal's start to the campaign is they have also faced 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 continue triumphing, their traditional rivals are struggling. This marks the initial occasion 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 beginning, having allocated around £250m on eight summer acquisitions in pursuit of that coveted first title since 2004. But the business has so far proven successful in remarkable manner, with his side second top 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 experts have characterized Arteta's men as a "powerhouse, looking hard to stop" with the whole club now operating with confidence and purpose.