🔗 Share this article 'People are afraid' - the reasons 'juggernaut' Arsenal are the team to beat. Gabriel Magalhaes rejoices Arsenal's triumph over Crystal Palace There's no doubt why Arsenal are now many people's preferred choice to claim the Premier League this season. Examine their performances against Fulham and Crystal Palace compared to those equivalent matches in the previous campaign. 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 Strength Arsenal's backline resilience is a crucial element why they are looking well positioned to at last realize their title target. They lead the league for shutouts (6), goals conceded (3), opposition efforts (72), shots on target faced (19) and anticipated concessions (5.3). The central defensive pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba is possibly the best in the league, with Arsenal keeping a clean sheet in six of their first nine games. Set-Piece Expertise Their effectiveness from free kicks is widely recognized, but competing clubs still find it difficult to contain the Gunners from these chances. They have registered 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 do a bit of everything now. The whole team has a intimidation presence. People are just fearful of them and it is great to see." Title Claims What is especially remarkable about Arsenal's beginning to the campaign is they have also encountered Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United at opposition grounds and Manchester City at home - and are still leading by four at the top. While they keep winning, their long-standing opponents aren't faring so well. 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 pressure was on head coach Mikel Arteta at the start, having invested around £250m on eight summer acquisitions in pursuit of that elusive first title since 2004. But the business has so far paid off in style, with his side one of the most prolific attacks in the league and having the most resilient defense, despite several injuries. Clean sheets 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 experts have described Arteta's men as a "powerhouse, looking challenging to stop" with the whole club now performing with belief and purpose.