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The evidence is unmistakable why Arsenal stand as many people's top picks to win the Premier League in the current campaign.

Examine their outcomes against West Ham and Crystal Palace versus those equivalent matches last season.

The Gunners have overcome all of them in the current season, but lost 10 points across those games as they faded in the title race previously.

Impenetrable Backline

Arsenal's defensive strength is a crucial element why they are looking well positioned to ultimately achieve their title goal.

They rank top for shutouts (6), goals conceded (3), attempts against (72), shots on target faced (19) and xGA (5.3).

The center-back duo of Gabriel and William Saliba is potentially the strongest in the league, with Arsenal keeping a clean sheet in six of their first nine games.

Set-Piece Expertise

Their danger from dead balls is widely recognized, but competing clubs still struggle to contain the Gunners from these situations.

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 excel in various aspects now. The whole team has a daunting aura. People are just wary of them and it is excellent to see."

Championship Pedigree

What is especially impressive about Arsenal's commencement to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United on the road and Manchester City in their own stadium - and are still leading by four at the top.

While they maintain victories, their traditional rivals face difficulties. This marks the premier instance 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 invested around £250m on eight summer signings in search of that long-awaited first title since 2004.

But the spending has so far yielded results in style, with his side second top scorers in the league and having the strongest defense, despite multiple injuries.

• Clean sheets in three straight Premier League games
• 385 minutes without allowing a goal
• Only a trio of goals in 12 games across various contests

Former players and pundits have described Arteta's men as a "powerhouse, looking hard to stop" with the whole club now performing with confidence and resolve.