🔗 Share this article 'People are intimidated' - the reasons 'unstoppable force' Arsenal have become the squad everyone fears. Gabriel Magalhaes celebrates Arsenal's victory over Crystal Palace There's little doubt why Arsenal stand as many people's favorites to secure the Premier League in the current campaign. Look at their results against Fulham and Crystal Palace versus those equivalent matches in the previous campaign. The Gunners have overcome all of them during this campaign, but surrendered 10 points across those games as they faded in the title race in the prior campaign. Impenetrable Rearguard Arsenal's backline resilience is a primary factor why they are looking well positioned to at last realize their title ambition. They rank top for shutouts (6), goals allowed (3), attempts against (72), shots on target faced (19) and expected goals against (5.3). The center-back duo of Gabriel and William Saliba is potentially the strongest in the league, with Arsenal recording a clean sheet in six of their first nine games. Dead-Ball Superiority Their danger from dead balls is widely recognized, but opposition teams still find it difficult to neutralize the Gunners from these situations. They have registered 11 times from set-pieces in the league, several additional than any other side, with 69% of their goals resulting from these situations. "Arsenal can excel in various aspects now. The whole team has a fear factor. People are just afraid of them and it is excellent to see." Championship Credentials What is particularly remarkable about Arsenal's commencement to the campaign is they have also played Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United away from home and Manchester City on home turf - and are still four points clear at the top. While they maintain victories, their traditional rivals aren't faring so well. This marks the initial occasion 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 scrutiny was on head coach Mikel Arteta at the outset, having invested around £250m on eight summer acquisitions in pursuit of that elusive first title since 2004. But the spending has so far yielded results in style, with his side second top scorers in the league and boasting the strongest defense, despite several injuries. Shutouts in each of their last three Premier League games Over six hours without allowing a goal Only a trio of goals in 12 games across every tournament Former players and pundits have described Arteta's men as a "powerhouse, looking challenging to stop" with the whole club now performing with conviction and resolve.