🔗 Share this article 'People are intimidated' - the reasons 'powerhouse' Arsenal are the side to defeat. Gabriel Magalhaes celebrates Arsenal's victory over Crystal Palace It's evident why Arsenal stand as many people's preferred choice to win the Premier League this season. Look at their performances against Fulham and Crystal Palace versus those same matches last season. The Gunners have defeated all of them during this campaign, but lost 10 points across those games as they fell away in the title race previously. Defensive Dominance Arsenal's backline resilience is a key reason why they are looking well positioned to at last realize their title ambition. They lead the league for clean sheets (6), goals conceded (3), shots faced (72), shots on target faced (19) and expected goals against (5.3). The center-back duo of Gabriel and William Saliba is possibly the best in the league, with Arsenal recording a clean sheet in six of their first nine games. Set-Piece Mastery Their effectiveness from free kicks is widely recognized, but rival sides still find it difficult to neutralize the Gunners from these chances. They have scored 11 times from set-pieces in the league, several additional than any other side, with 69% of their goals coming from these situations. "Arsenal can do a bit of everything now. The whole team has a daunting aura. People are just fearful of them and it is excellent to see." Title Claims What is even more notable about Arsenal's beginning to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United at opposition grounds and Manchester City in their own stadium - and are still ahead by four points at the top. While they continue triumphing, their historic competitors are struggling. 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 expectations was on manager Mikel Arteta at the beginning, having spent around £250m on eight summer acquisitions in search of that coveted first title since 2004. But the investment has so far proven successful in remarkable manner, with his side among the highest scorers in the league and possessing the most resilient defense, despite several injuries. Unbreached games in three straight Premier League games Nearly 6.5 hours without letting in a goal Only three goals in 12 games across every tournament Former players and pundits have characterized Arteta's men as a "juggernaut, looking hard to stop" with the whole club now functioning with conviction and resolve.