Arsenal can still excel despite the absence of Van Persie

Arsenal Vs Sunderland, Today 5pm

My Prediction: Gunners 3—0 Black Cats

Arsenal go top of the league starting today and we don’t intend to leave. It’s human nature that when you tell someone that they will fail, they work extra hard to prove themselves. The most common comment this week when RVP left Emirates was how doomed the Gunners would be this season. But why would we be? You saw us playing in Cologne last weekend and between new boys Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, not to mention others who seemed to be stepping up to the plate like Gervinho and Alex Oxlaide Chamberlan, we are looking good. I am actually more worried about Alex Song’s departure as we need a rock defending that midfield. But the scorn will drive The Gunners to succeed. Fortunately for us, Louis Saha looks like he won’t be confirmed as a Sunderland player by today since he is such a thorn in our side usually. And thank heavens that Bendtner’s loan spell ended as his Euro 2012 form would be worrying for any defence. Sunderland look weak and we’ll capitalise on that. Yes! I intend to have a lot of attitude this season!

Wigan Vs Chelsea, Tomorrow 3:30pm

My Prediction: Lactics 1—2 Blues

Haiya! Victory Moses is still a Wigan player? Surprisingly on bbc.com/sports he isn’t listed in the Wigan squad nor is he listed in Chelsea’s. Mmmmh… Oddly the two teams will be up against each other this weekend so no matter which side he is on, the other defence should be wide awake. He had a terrific season last term and if he picks up from where he left, he’s valuable for any side. In the meantime, Wigan have striker Arouna Kone on their payroll after they bought him from Levante this summer. Good move but I fear the rest of Wigan will be unable to stop the Champions League winners. Yes! Remember Chelsea won the coveted European trophy in May and that confidence will drive their start to this season; although it failed to win over Man City last week but I don’t put too much on the Community Shield. It’s a charity match and maybe Chelsea were just being charitable. Unfortunately, Didier Drogba is eating Chinese food now and won’t be there to rescue them when they falter. Easy one for the Blues but they won’t score more than the Gunners today.

Man City Vs Southampton, Tomorrow 6pm

My Prediction: The Citizens 1-1 Southamption

Lucky City! They warmed up last weekend against Chelsea and came out tops to win the Community Shield. Although I still believe Chelsea were being charitable. But the lucky Blue side of Manchester open the defence of their title at home and against a newly promoted side. But I love when this happens. Roberto Mancini will underestimate their opponents since they are new in the league; and having not watched them closely in the Championship last season; he won’t know what to expect. Southampton will want to show that they won’t be push-overs in the league and we all know they can do it! This isn’t their first stint in the league and statistics show newly promoted teams in recent times have been surviving in the league. I actually think with City playing half heartedly and Soutampton playing their socks off, a draw is most likely.

Everton Vs Man United, Monday 10pm

My Prediction: Toffees 2—2 Devils

Do I have to talk about Man United? Okay I do. I doubt Robin Van Persie will get an immediate start having not trained with the team enough yet. I do wish he has a Euro 2012 kind of season with United this year—shooting blanks! We all know United have a strong squad and that the difference between them and City last season was just a couple of goals. They know that RVP will bring those extra goals and Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t worried at all. Infact he thinks he has almost recreated United’s forward line that won the treble of 1999. Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were the best striking force in the world, probably that year; and Sir Alex thinks that now Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and the traitor Robin Van Persie; coupled with Shinji Kagawa and Dimitar Berbatov will overcome any opposition. Will they? Jagielka, Baines, Heitinga? They haven’t been sleeping all summer you know. Over-confidence will be United’s undoing this season. What was the result between these two sides back in April? 4-4? Tee hee.

KPL Top 8 Final

Ulinzi Stars Vs Gor Mahia

My Prediction: Ulinzi 1 – 2 K’ogalo

Any rational thinking pundit will give this game to Gor Mahia hands down! They’re in superb form, they are scoring many goals and they did away with champions Tusker to get here; not conceding a single goal on the way; although I don’t know whether that’s credit to Gor or shame on Tusker. Ulinzi Stars, meanwhile, have been faltering all round. They go through periods of great form only to dip and play like amateurs. So you never know which Ulinzi Stars will turn up. Ulinzi are the defending champions, having won the inaugural tournament last year; but they have been a pale shadow of themselves. They struggled to get past Sony in the semis and will definitely struggle today. Gor showed recently that their goals can come from other players apart from Dan and Rama which is great! They will need all the goals they can get here. Something, however, tells me that the focused and confident Ulinzi that won the league in 2010 will turn up but I can’t handle the wrath of K’ogalians this weekend; so under duress and influence, I predict a K’Ogalo win.