It's still early in the season, but Arsenal look almost unstoppable at the moment.
Mikel Arteta's side continued their impressive form in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and now have the chance to extend their lead in the Premier League this afternoon.
However, to do so, the Gunners will have to beat an inform Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light, without Viktor Gyokeres, who scored last time out.
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Fortunately, Arteta has a few ways of dealing with the Swede's absence, and no, he doesn't have to use Mikel Merino.
The Arsenal changes Arteta has to make
Before examining the players Arteta should bring into the team for this game, it's worth taking a look at who is fit.
Fortunately, since Gyokeres' injury, Arsenal have not lost anyone else to the medical room, and in even better news, Gabriel Jesus has returned to first-team training.
However, the Brazilian is unlikely to feature against Sunderland, nor are the likes of Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke or Gabriel Martinelli, with the manager telling the press that "nobody new that can join the squad."
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Even so, there are more than enough players fit for changes to be made to the team that won in Prague on Tuesday night.
The first of which should come in defence, with Riccardo Calafiori coming back in for the impressive Piero Hincapie.
Likewise, while Christian Norgaard did a good job anchoring the midfield, Martin Zubimendi, or the Gunners' "signing of the summer," as one analyst described him, should come in for him.
The final midfield change should see Eberechi Eze replace Ethan Nwaneri, as the 27-year-old's creativity and playmaking ability could be crucial in breaking down the Black Cats' low block.
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Finally, while Merino did brilliantly in scoring two goals against Slavia, this might be a game for Arteta to pick someone else to lead the line.
The Arsenal player who could replace Merino
While Arteta could go rogue and opt to start Nwaneri up top for this game, the more reasonable way to go would be to start Leandro Trossard.
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Now, there are certainly arguments for keeping Merino as the striker, but equally, there are reasons why the Belgian should be given a go up top, such as his technical quality.
Even though Sunderland are in fine form, the Gunners are more than likely going to face a stubborn low block at the Stadium of Light.
Therefore, it would make more sense to have someone like the 30-year-old leading the line who has the ability to pick a lock, not just with a pass, but with some quality close control.
As good as Merino has been this year, he has never shown an ability to get past a defender with the ball at his feet.
The second reason for going with the "little magician," as Arteta dubbed him, is that, unlike last season, he seems to have rediscovered his form.
For example, in 13 appearances, totalling just 742 minutes, he has scored three goals and provided four assists.
Trossard's 25/26
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Goal Involvements per Match
Minutes per Goal Involvement
All Stats via Transfermarkt
That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.85 games, or more impressively, every 106 minutes.
Finally, since he arrived at the club, the Waterschei-born dynamo has been a clutch player, someone who can and often does pop up with the all-important goal.
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Moreover, as the legendary Ian Wright put it, he's also shown himself to be the squad's "best finisher and most clinical finisher of chances."
Therefore, while it sounds counterproductive, Arteta might be better off starting Trossard in Gyokeres' place this weekend.