'People are intimidated' - the reasons 'juggernaut' Arsenal are the side to defeat.

It's clear why Arsenal have become numerous fans' preferred choice to secure the Premier League in the current campaign.

Consider their results against West Ham and Crystal Palace compared to those identical matches last season.

The Gunners have overcome all of them this time around, but surrendered 10 points across those games as they faded in the title race in the prior campaign.

Impenetrable Backline

Arsenal's backline resilience is a primary factor why they are seeming ready to finally fulfil their title goal.

They lead the league for unbreached games (6), shots let in (3), attempts against (72), quality opportunities against (19) and expected goals against (5.3).

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

Set-Piece Proficiency

Their effectiveness from free kicks is widely recognized, but competing clubs still don't know how to contain the Gunners from these opportunities.

They have notched 11 times from set-pieces in the league, several additional than any other side, with 69% of their goals originating from these situations.

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

Championship Pedigree

What is particularly impressive about Arsenal's start to the campaign is they have also encountered Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United away from home and Manchester City on home turf - and are still ahead by four points at the top.

While they continue triumphing, their historic competitors 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 expectations was on boss Mikel Arteta at the start, having allocated around £250m on eight summer signings in search of that elusive first title since 2004.

But the spending has so far yielded results in impressive fashion, with his side among the highest scorers in the league and having the most resilient defense, despite multiple 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 analysts have described Arteta's men as a "juggernaut, looking hard to stop" with the whole club now functioning with confidence and purpose.