'People are intimidated' - why 'powerhouse' Arsenal are the squad everyone fears.

The proof is unmistakable why Arsenal stand as countless pundits' favorites to claim the Premier League this season.

Look at their results against Fulham and Crystal Palace versus those same matches in the previous campaign.

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

Impenetrable Defense

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

They stand first for unbreached games (6), goals allowed (3), shots faced (72), dangerous chances allowed (19) and anticipated concessions (5.3).

The defensive partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba is possibly the strongest in the league, with Arsenal maintaining a clean sheet in six of their first nine games.

Dead-Ball Superiority

Their danger from dead balls is well known, but competing clubs still don't know how to neutralize the Gunners from these chances.

They have notched 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 perform multiple roles now. The whole team has a daunting aura. People are just afraid of them and it is great to see."

Title Credentials

What is especially impressive about Arsenal's commencement to the campaign is they have also faced Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United at opposition grounds and Manchester City at home - and are still ahead by four points at the top.

While they continue triumphing, their long-standing opponents aren't faring so well. This marks the initial occasion 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 scrutiny was on head coach Mikel Arteta at the outset, having allocated around £250m on eight summer signings in quest of that long-awaited first title since 2004.

But the investment has so far proven successful in remarkable manner, with his side second top scorers in the league and boasting the most resilient defense, despite numerous injuries.

• Shutouts in three straight Premier League games
• Over six hours without conceding a goal
• Only a trio of goals in 12 games across every tournament

Former players and analysts have described Arteta's men as a "juggernaut, looking hard to stop" with the whole club now operating with belief and determination.