'People are fearful' - why 'powerhouse' Arsenal are the side to defeat.

There's little doubt why Arsenal have become countless pundits' top picks to claim the Premier League this season.

Consider their performances against Newcastle and Crystal Palace versus those equivalent matches during the prior term.

The Gunners have defeated all of them this time around, but surrendered 10 points across those games as they fell away in the title race in the prior campaign.

Defensive Prowess

Arsenal's defensive strength is a key reason why they are looking well positioned to ultimately achieve their title target.

They rank top for unbreached games (6), shots let in (3), shots faced (72), dangerous chances allowed (19) and expected goals against (5.3).

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

Dead-Ball Superiority

Their danger from dead balls is widely recognized, but opposition teams still find it difficult to contain the Gunners from these situations.

They have registered 11 times from set-pieces in the league, a couple extra 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 daunting aura. People are just afraid of them and it is wonderful to see."

Title Claims

What is particularly impressive about Arsenal's start to the campaign is they have also encountered 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 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 boss Mikel Arteta at the start, having spent around £250m on eight summer signings in pursuit of that long-awaited first title since 2004.

But the spending has so far paid off in remarkable manner, with his side second top scorers in the league and possessing the most resilient defense, despite several injuries.

• Shutouts in three straight Premier League games
• Nearly 6.5 hours without allowing a goal
• Only three goals in 12 games across all competitions

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