🔗 Share this article 'People are intimidated' - why 'unstoppable force' Arsenal are the side to defeat. Gabriel Magalhaes celebrates Arsenal's win over Crystal Palace It's evident why Arsenal are now many people's favorites to win the Premier League this season. Consider their performances against Newcastle and Crystal Palace compared to those equivalent matches last season. The Gunners have beaten all of them this time around, but dropped 10 points across those games as they fell away in the title race last season. Impenetrable Defense Arsenal's defensive solidity is a crucial element why they are seeming ready to at last realize their title goal. They rank top for unbreached games (6), shots let in (3), shots faced (72), dangerous chances allowed (19) and expected goals against (5.3). The center-back duo of Gabriel and William Saliba is potentially the finest in the league, with Arsenal keeping a clean sheet in six of their first nine games. Dead-Ball Superiority Their threat from set-pieces is well known, but opposition teams still don't know how to stop the Gunners from these situations. They have scored 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 do a bit of everything now. The whole team has a intimidation presence. People are just wary of them and it is wonderful to see." Title Credentials What is especially notable about Arsenal's beginning to the campaign is they have also played Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United at opposition grounds and Manchester City in their own stadium - and are still four points clear at the top. While they keep winning, their traditional rivals aren't faring so well. This marks the premier instance 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 manager Mikel Arteta at the start, having allocated around £250m on eight summer signings in pursuit of that coveted first title since 2004. But the investment has so far paid off in remarkable manner, with his side second top scorers in the league and having the strongest defense, despite several injuries. Unbreached games in each of their last three Premier League games 385 minutes without allowing a goal Only three goals in 12 games across every tournament Former players and pundits have described Arteta's men as a "unstoppable force, looking challenging to stop" with the whole club now performing with belief and purpose.