'People are afraid' - why 'unstoppable force' Arsenal are the squad everyone fears.

It's obvious why Arsenal are now countless pundits' top picks to secure the Premier League this season.

Consider their outcomes against Newcastle and Crystal Palace in contrast with those identical matches during the prior term.

The Gunners have defeated all of them during this campaign, but surrendered 10 points across those games as they dropped off in the title race previously.

Impenetrable Backline

Arsenal's backline resilience is a key reason why they are looking well positioned to at last realize their title target.

They lead the league for unbreached games (6), goals conceded (3), opposition efforts (72), shots on target faced (19) and expected goals against (5.3).

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

Dead-Ball Superiority

Their threat from set-pieces is highly documented, but rival sides still find it difficult to neutralize the Gunners from these opportunities.

They have scored 11 times from set-pieces in the league, a couple extra than any other side, with 69% of their goals resulting from these situations.

"Arsenal can do a bit of everything now. The whole team has a fear factor. People are just wary of them and it is wonderful to see."

Title Potential

What is even more impressive about Arsenal's commencement to the campaign is they have also played Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United away from home and Manchester City in their own stadium - and are still four points clear at the top.

While they keep winning, their traditional rivals face difficulties. This marks the first time 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 pressure was on head coach Mikel Arteta at the beginning, having invested around £250m on eight summer acquisitions in quest of that coveted first title since 2004.

But the spending has so far yielded results in impressive fashion, with his side second top scorers in the league and boasting the tightest defense, despite several injuries.

• Unbreached games in three straight Premier League games
• Over six hours without letting in a goal
• Only three goals in 12 games across every tournament

Former players and experts have described Arteta's men as a "powerhouse, looking challenging to stop" with the whole club now operating with belief and resolve.