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The proof is undeniable why Arsenal have become many people's top picks to win the Premier League during this term.

Look at their performances against West Ham and Crystal Palace versus those identical matches during the prior term.

The Gunners have overcome 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.

Impenetrable Rearguard

Arsenal's defensive strength is a crucial element why they are seeming ready to ultimately achieve their title ambition.

They rank top for unbreached games (6), goals allowed (3), opposition efforts (72), quality opportunities against (19) and anticipated concessions (5.3).

The center-back duo of Gabriel and William Saliba is possibly 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 widely recognized, but competing clubs still find it difficult to stop the Gunners from these situations.

They have registered 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 perform multiple roles now. The whole team has a fear factor. People are just afraid of them and it is great to see."

Championship Pedigree

What is particularly remarkable about Arsenal's start to the campaign is they have also encountered 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 maintain victories, their traditional rivals face difficulties. 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 pressure was on boss Mikel Arteta at the start, having invested around £250m on eight summer acquisitions in search of that long-awaited first title since 2004.

But the investment has so far yielded results in remarkable manner, with his side second top scorers in the league and possessing the strongest defense, despite several injuries.

• Shutouts in three consecutive Premier League games
• Nearly 6.5 hours without allowing a goal
• Only a handful of concessions in 12 games across various contests

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