🔗 Share this article 'People are fearful' - why 'juggernaut' Arsenal have become the side to defeat. Gabriel Magalhaes marks Arsenal's triumph over Crystal Palace It's evident why Arsenal stand as countless pundits' favorites to win the Premier League this season. Look at their performances against Newcastle and Crystal Palace versus those same 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 seeming ready to finally fulfil their title target. They stand first for unbreached games (6), goals conceded (3), opposition efforts (72), quality opportunities against (19) and anticipated concessions (5.3). The center-back duo of Gabriel and William Saliba is potentially the finest 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 highly documented, but rival sides still struggle to stop the Gunners from these situations. 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 excel in various aspects now. The whole team has a intimidation presence. People are just fearful of them and it is great to see." Title Credentials What is even more impressive about Arsenal's start to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United away from home and Manchester City at home - and are still four points clear at the top. While they keep winning, their long-standing opponents face difficulties. This marks the first time at this stage 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 manager Mikel Arteta at the beginning, having spent around £250m on eight summer additions in pursuit of that long-awaited first title since 2004. But the spending has so far yielded results in impressive fashion, with his side one of the most prolific attacks in the league and having the strongest defense, despite multiple injuries. Clean sheets in three consecutive Premier League games 385 minutes without conceding a goal Only three goals in 12 games across various contests Former players and analysts have characterized Arteta's men as a "juggernaut, looking difficult to stop" with the whole club now performing with conviction and resolve.