🔗 Share this article 'People are afraid' - why 'juggernaut' Arsenal have become the team to beat. Gabriel Magalhaes rejoices Arsenal's win over Crystal Palace It's obvious why Arsenal have become countless pundits' preferred choice to claim the Premier League in the current campaign. Consider their results against Fulham and Crystal Palace versus those equivalent matches in the previous campaign. The Gunners have beaten all of them in the current season, but dropped 10 points across those games as they faded in the title race previously. Defensive Strength Arsenal's defensive strength is a key reason why they are looking well positioned to finally fulfil their title goal. They stand first for clean sheets (6), goals allowed (3), attempts against (72), shots on target faced (19) and expected goals against (5.3). The center-back duo 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 struggle 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 originating from these situations. "Arsenal can perform multiple roles now. The whole team has a intimidation presence. People are just fearful of them and it is great to see." Championship Credentials What is especially notable about Arsenal's beginning to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United away from home and Manchester City on home turf - and are still leading by four at the top. While they maintain victories, their historic competitors aren't faring so well. This marks the initial occasion 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 expectations was on head coach Mikel Arteta at the beginning, having spent around £250m on eight summer additions in search of that coveted first title since 2004. But the business has so far paid off in style, with his side second top scorers in the league and boasting the tightest defense, despite multiple injuries. Unbreached games in each of their last three Premier League games 385 minutes without allowing a goal Only a trio of goals in 12 games across various contests Former players and experts have characterized Arteta's men as a "juggernaut, looking challenging to stop" with the whole club now operating with belief and determination.