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It's obvious why Arsenal are now countless pundits' top picks to claim the Premier League in the current campaign.

Examine their results against Fulham and Crystal Palace compared to those identical matches last season.

The Gunners have beaten all of them in the current season, but dropped 10 points across those games as they dropped off in the title race previously.

Defensive Prowess

Arsenal's defensive strength is a key reason why they are seeming ready to at last realize their title target.

They lead the league for clean sheets (6), shots let in (3), opposition efforts (72), shots on target faced (19) and xGA (5.3).

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

Dead-Ball Excellence

Their danger from dead balls is well known, but rival sides still don't know how to neutralize the Gunners from these chances.

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

Championship Pedigree

What is even more impressive about Arsenal's beginning to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United on the road and Manchester City on home turf - and are still leading by four at the top.

While they keep winning, their historic competitors aren't faring so well. This marks the initial occasion at this point 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 outset, having spent around £250m on eight summer signings in pursuit of that long-awaited first title since 2004.

But the business has so far paid off in style, with his side second top scorers in the league and having the tightest defense, despite multiple injuries.

• Clean sheets in each of their last three Premier League games
• Nearly 6.5 hours without letting in a goal
• Only three goals in 12 games across all competitions

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