Samuel Makori

Arsene Wenger is without doubt a legend in the modern game.

When he joined Arsenal in 1996 from Japanese team Nagoya Grampus the 63 year old Frenchman revolutionized the system of play at the London club. His abilities had been evident from as far back as 1984 when he began his coaching career with French side Nancy.

At Arsenal, Wenger made some radical changes. From changing the player’s dietary habits to creating an attacking fluid system of play Wenger took little time in turning the Gunners into a formidable outfit.

His emphasis on youth and untapped talent was the platform for the club’s success. With 11 titles won in 9 seasons, including the memorable achievement of going 49 games unbeaten in the 2003/2004 season, Arsenal were definitely a club in ascendancy.

And then the rain started pouring.

Arsenal have not won a title since Patrick Vieira’s penalty handed them the 2005 FA Cup. It has been 7 painful long seasons since that moment of glory and for ‘Le Professeur’ who was once idolized by the Gunner fans, murmurs of discontent by the Arsenal faithful have pitched into a crescendo.

So what has gone wrong?

On the 28th of August 2012 the the Football Kenyan Federation (FKF) unveiled French tactician Henri Michel as the new National team coach. The Harambee Stars, as the Kenyan National team is popularly called, was once a power house in the East and Central African region and to an extent in Africa. In recent times however the Stars have fallen on rough times with under par performances being the norm. Football fans in Kenya have watched in dismay as their beloved Stars have slowly sunk into the dregs of football mediocrity. Even the occasional and rare victory has far from inspiring confidence ended up in exposing the rudimentary flaws in the team's system of play and in particular the management of the game in the country. To bring to a halt the steady decline in the team's fortunes the FKF settled on Henri Michel to guide the team after a two month hunt. The 55 year old Frenchman, who is no stranger to the African continent and African soccer, had in his earlier years played 58 times for the French National team. He later coached Les Bleus at the 1984 Olympic games where they captured gold and in the 1986 World cup.

It was bound to happen. It was just a matter of when, not if Liverpool would register their first league win under Brendan Rodgers.

540 minutes and six games later it finally happened, and in style as the Reds put Norwich to the sword at Carrow road in a 5 star performance.

Prior to the Liverpool win their horrendous start to the season had been the topic of much discussion and heated debate.

Statistically it was the worst start to the season by the Anfield Club. Infact the 3 losses and two draws in their first 5 games translated to the worst start in over 100 years.

But statistics do not take into account the teams that a club faces: In the first five games Liverpool had played Champions Manchester City, last season’s runners up Manchester United and third place finishers Arsenal. At whatever stage of the season and despite a team’s form, home or away, these are tough games to play and particularly difficult at the start of a season. They become doubly difficult when the games are almost back to back as they were for the Reds.

Liverpool 0 Arsenal 2 was the end result after 90 minutes at Anfield when the two clubs met in their third English premier League match of the current season.

Liverpool fans worldwide were undoubtedly disappointed at the result.

The final score does not however reveal what actually happened on the field of play.

For long spells Liverpool were dominant in the match especially in the first half. They ended the game with the lion share of possession and exhibited a neat passing game. However as has been the problem in the past season the team did not convert the several chances they were able to manufacture.

The moment that millions of football lovers have been waiting for is upon us. Starting the 18th of August 2012 the English Premier League will enthrall us once again as the various clubs in Europe's elite league battle for top honours.

Last season left all of us breathless as Manchester City waited until the very last minute to wrap up a nail biting finish to the League and clinch the title. This season promises to give us fireworks and edge of the seat action.

In readiness for the season most of the top clubs contesting for the title have been busy in the transfer window trying to make deals that will give them an added advantage over their opponents.

The Champions Manchester City have maintained most of their Championship winning team. Already City have an early title after they prevailed 3-2 over Chelsea in the traditional season opener the Community Shield.