The Final Lap

A couple of years back I was invited/forced to participate in a 400m race at the inter-house sports competition in my high school. A belligerent child that I was, I never joined my house for track and field practices. All I wanted was to play football.

So, on this fateful afternoon, I was chasing a football with a couple of friends when a teacher whisked me off the football field and dragged me to the race track. The dude who was supposed to represent our house was sick and I had to participate in his place. Of course I was a fast runner so it wasn't some decision out of the blues.

Fast forward to the race and the umpire blasted the whistle. I ran as fast as my leg could carry me and was comfortably holding on to the second position with the finish line clearly in sight. I willed myself to chase down the guy ahead of me and was rapidly closing down the gap. That was when disaster struck: the teacher started shouting at the top of his voice, telling me I had to go round the track the second time.

At first it sounded strange then I realized the guy I was actively chasing continued the race for another lap, the last lap. Immediately I saw that I lost the will to continue the race. I've injected all my strength into the one lap I've run with the belief it's the only one. Unfortunately, I wasn't briefed that two laps of the track makes 400m, not just a lap.

Needless to say, every other competitor passed me by in quick succession as I ended the race in the last position. I retired to a quiet place to mourn my loss. That day, I learnt a very valuable lesson: every lap of a race is important, but the most important, the most definitive of all laps is the last lap. And now, today, here we are with the last lap of an intriguing European football season staring right at us.

For one, this season has been that of unending surprises. Napoli dominating Serie A is unexpected. Union Berlin tussling with Bayern and Dortmund has been absolutely stunning. But the most surprising of all has been the sight of Arsenal blitzing through the EPL and holding an unimaginable eight points advantage over perennial champions, City.

When this season began, no one in his right senses would have argued passionately that Arsenal will win the league. Yet, here they are with just 10 games to go. If they win eight of those 10 games (and avoid a loss at City), they will be crowned champion. The final lap is here; the moment of truth has arrived.

Will Arsenal eventually win the league title?
This question has been asked more than a thousand times since the Gunners gave us the vibes that they are firmly in the running for their first title triumph in 19 years. At first it looked like some wishful thinking but now we are all facing the reality. The Gunners of years past always unravel around January/February after starting brightly.

Well, today is March 31 and they hold a serious lead over City. As a reminder, last season they struggled around April and had their Champions League aspiration snuffed out at Newcastle by May. However, this season's Arsenal looks primed to avoid a repeat of such. I'm no Nostradamus to confirm the Gunners will win the EPL, but I personally believe they won't blow this chance.

Determining Fixtures?
City hosts Liverpool tomorrow; that's an explosive start of this final lap. Though Liverpool are pretty underwhelming this season they still recorded a win over City when they played at Anfield earlier. However, Liverpool lost their EFL Cup tie 3-2 when they played at the Etihad last December. I'm all in for a City win.

Next weekend, Liverpool hosts Arsenal. As much as Liverpool have been bad, I have to admit I don't see Arsenal winning this one. Finally, the mother of all fixtures - Man City vs Arsenal. If Arsenal comes out of this fixture and still holding at least a three point lead, the league title's destination is more or less decided.

In conclusion, this is it. No more international breaks, no more interruptions; just pure, unadulterated football till the season ends. I hope you've enjoyed this season as much as I have done. And, I hope you will enjoy the final lap that promises a lot of twists, turns, heartbreaks and celebrations.

See ya later!

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/N3VEiHD8Sec