Often criticised for their finishing, Arsenal have scored 19 goals, tied with Chelsea for second most in Premier League this season.
In the previous six Premier League campaigns, the Gunners converted 32 percent of their shots on goal. Last season, they ranked 12th in conversion percentage, Arsenal's lowest rank in that category since 2010.
This season, however, Arsenal have found a way to capitalise on the chances they may have missed before and currently lead the league in conversion percentage at 38 percent (minimum 20 shots on goal).
Of the 59 teams in the top five European Leagues to take at least 100 shots this season, Arsenal are one of only two teams from the Premier League to be ranked in the top 10 in conversion percentage (the percentage of goals from shots on goal).
So, how did they turn it around?
No striker? No problem
Arsene Wenger has found a way to share the wealth without a world-class striker that media and pundits alike claim Arsenal need. The Gunners have eight different goal scorers this season, tied for the league lead.
Currently, among the top five teams in the Premier League, Arsenal are one of only two teams to have registered all of their goals without a recognised striker -- while Alexis Sanchez has been used up front -- Liverpool being the other.
In addition, Arsenal have been scoring without the help of their top playmaker. Mesut Ozil has yet to provide an assist in the league following last season where he almost broke the Premier League single-season assist record (19).
Theo Walcott's evolution
Theo Walcott had a 2015-16 season to forget. He missed out on selection for Euro 2016 with England in addition to only starting a total of 15 league games for Arsenal.
With the 2018 World Cup already on the horizon, Walcott worked with a personal trainer over the summer to prepare for the 2016-17 Premier League campaign and its seems to be paying-off.
Walcott has started in all nine of Arsenal's league games and has not disappointed, finding himself at the top of Arsenal's scoring charts with five goals in league play. Nine games into the season, he has already equaled his goal total (five) for each of the last three Premier League seasons.
"He used to be 90 percent forward and 10 percent defending. Today he's 50-50," Wenger said earlier in the season. "He does the job both ways and he does it with commitment. I said at the start of the season that we'd see a different Theo Walcott."
This evolution as a player is showing as Walcott has contributed to Arsenal's play more than just in the attacking third this season.
The last time a non-recognised striker led Arsenal in scoring was the 2012-13 Premier League season when Walcott finished the season with a career high 14 goals. He is currently on pace for 21.11 goals, shattering that record.
Keeping it close
Arsenal are averaging a league high 14.5 percent shooting percentage (goals/shots) with and average shot distance of 18.1 yards; almost a full yard under the league average (19 yards).
This allows them to score from higher percentage positions on the field that are closer to goal. 18 of their 19 goals have come within the penalty area which leads the league.
Four of Arsenal's goals in the penalty area have come from set-pieces.
Of the 12 teams to play in the previous six Premier League seasons, Arsenal scored 68 goals from set-pieces converting 29.6 percent of their shots on goal, which ranks 10th. This season, Arsenal have converted all four of their set-piece shots on goal in the penalty area, the highest conversion percentage among Europe's Top five leagues on such shots.
Arsenal have gone 12 games unbeaten in all competitions since opening the Premier League season in a home loss to Liverpool.
After drawing at home 0-0 to Middlesbrough on Saturday, the Gunners will look to kickstart their scoring again against a Sunderland side yet to register a win in the league this season. Sunderland currently have a league low in points (two) and goals scored (six).
In the previous six seasons Sunderland are winless at home to Arsenal (0-4-2) allowing nine goals, with only one team scoring more such goals against them in that time.