We here at the Transfer Tavern have been very enthused by the start that Arsenal have made this season.

They look good both domestically and so far in Europe, so with Sunderland up next surely there is nothing to worry about?

The Gunners may have dropped 2 points at home to Middlesbrough at the weekend after an impressive display from two former Barcelona players Victor Valdes and Adama Traore.

Without them, it could well have been a different story for the visitors.

Sunderland currently find themselves propping up the Premier League table and with losing in the 94th minute to West Ham last time out, it shows unlike ‘Boro their inability to hold on to a point.

David Moyes has had a torrid time of it so far at Sunderland and with the prospect of Arsenal next it doesn’t look like it is about to get better any time soon for the Black Cats.

With that, we feel that this Arsenal XI will destroy Sunderland on Saturday…

GK: PETR CECH

Cech was one of the main reason that Arsenal didn’t find themselves embarrassed at the hands of Middlesbrough.

The veteran goalkeeper is still arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League – always consistent and reliable.

RB: HECTOR BELLERIN

Bellerin was put through his paces by the athletic Adama Traore at the weekend, but with an ageing Sunderland side – his pace will be a key factor.

In contention as one of the very best right-backs that the Premier League has to offer, and at still only 21-years-old, has a bright future ahead of him.

The Spanish international has pace that, going forward, will terrify the slow Sunderland midfield and defenders as well as prevent any kind of attack down the flank.

CB: LAURENT KOSCIELNY

The current captain of the side has been a rock so far at the back for Arsenal and is vital in any game that the Gunners want to try and win.

At 31-years-old his years of experience are paying off well for  the amount the club first invested in him from Lorient in 2011.

CB: SHKODRAN MUSTAFI

The 24-year-old has fit like a glove since he arrived on Deadline Day from Valencia.

The German international has forged quite the partnership with Koscielny – it’ll be hard for even the reliable goal-getter Jermain Defoe to break down.

LB:KIERAN GIBBS

Despite how well Monreal has been playing for the Gunners, it bodes well for the Gunners that they have England International Gibbs to call on when needed.

After an impressive game in the Champions League maybe a change at left-back, and we feel the defender will be best fit in the team against Sunderland.

CDM: MOHAMED ELNENY

With a suspended Granit Xhaka still and an injured Aaron Ramsey, we feel Arsenal still have a strong bench of subs to call on.

Coquelin and Elneny are both solid defensive central midfielders, but we feel with the performances the latter has put in during his brief cameos from the Egyptians could cause some selection issues when Xhaka and Ramsey are back.

CDM: FRANCIS COQUELIN

With Cazorla injured and the club without suspended Xhaka, as well as Ramsey being absent you’d think a club would be in crisis?

Not the Gunners though as they have Coquelin, that is something that the North London club had lacked in recent years- quality in depth.

It appears that’s not an issue anymore.

LW:ALEX IWOBI

The young Nigerian attacker has been an absolute revelation at the Gunners so far this season.

He gained his place through merit after a great display at the end of last term.

With the prospect of coming up against a shaky Sunderland side – Iwobi will be in his element.

The Nigerian’s skills will cause all kinds of problems for a very nervous defence.

CAM: MESUT OZIL

What more can we say about Mesut Ozil?

The World Cup-winner is utterly crucial to the Gunners’ cause and he may have not been as prominent last time out against Boro.

Big performance needed.

RW: THEO WALCOTT

The 27-year-old has been in somewhat the form of his career lately –  both domestically and in Europe.

Even us here at the tavern have been some of his biggest critics, we were not alone in thinking he’d never been as good as expected.

But with that, he’s silencing hope he can maintain that level

ST: ALEXIS SANCHEZ

Sanchez has found himself playing more central and further up the field.

Keeping Perez and Giroud at bay on the bench and Perez has looked to be forcing his chance soon with a brilliant display in the Champions League.

Sanchez, however, been a quality striker for the Gunners so far this season scoring in a number of games and we feel he could be the difference for Arsenal against the league’s bottom club Sunderland.