Wenger tips RVP

Arsene Wenger is tipping Robin Van Persie to have a breakout season and help replace the goal scoring prowess of departed thierry Henry. This strikes me as one where the boss could've taken the day off and allowed me to make the observation for him. Duh! The last two seasons, the Dutchman has been coming on, showing signs of great skill and growing knowledge, and yes, growing patience. With Henry gone, he is the natural player to fill the void.

With the first match of the season Sunday against Fulham, I can think of no better time to get started on a goal-scoring binge. Too bad, FSN does not have this televised.

While I'm not happy with the schedulers over at FSN, I'm always interested in what Bobby MacMahon has to say or write about football. Today, he's got part 2 of his EPL predictions and prognostications. Bobby likes Liverpool as the bottom clinger of the Big Four, which makes sense to me. I like Fernando Torres and thought Liverpool's buy of him was a brilliant move. However, don't think it's enough to leapfrog the Gunners, Chelsea and the Red Devils.

Bobby also picks newly-promoted Sunderland to stay up, just barely. I like that. I don't know enough about Sunderland under Roy Keane - haven't watched many Championship matches - but they're my sentimental favorite. I always like Keano as a player, even though I detested him for playing for Manchester United and always being a thorn in Arsenal's side. I was waiting for him to move on so that I could out and out cheer for him.

Moving to Celtic was a dream move in that regard, but alas, his days were already over. So, it is as a coach, that I'll root for Keane. You have to like what he's done so far - taking the Black Cats from supposed-to-drops to promotion Surprise. I'm looking forward to catching some of their televised matches this season.