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The evidence is undeniable why Arsenal are now countless pundits' top picks to win the Premier League in the current campaign.

Consider their outcomes against West Ham and Crystal Palace compared to those same matches last season.

The Gunners have beaten all of them during this campaign, but surrendered 10 points across those games as they fell away in the title race last season.

Impenetrable Defense

Arsenal's defensive solidity is a primary factor why they are seeming ready to finally fulfil their title target.

They stand first for unbreached games (6), shots let in (3), shots faced (72), shots on target faced (19) and xGA (5.3).

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

Set-Piece Mastery

Their danger from dead balls is widely recognized, but competing clubs still don't know how to contain 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 daunting aura. People are just afraid of them and it is wonderful to see."

Title Credentials

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

While they continue triumphing, their historic competitors are struggling. This marks the first time 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 search of that long-awaited first title since 2004.

But the spending has so far proven successful in impressive fashion, with his side one of the most prolific attacks in the league and possessing the strongest defense, despite multiple injuries.

• Clean sheets in three straight Premier League games
• Over six hours without letting in a goal
• Only a trio of goals in 12 games across various contests

Former players and pundits have described Arteta's men as a "unstoppable force, looking difficult to stop" with the whole club now functioning with belief and resolve.