To the Wire

Kenya

3 min read

Beyond the English Premier League’s flair for the dramatic. Even knowing very well that circumspection and caution in life cannot completely cover you from the capriciousness of chance. Today, I ask you to go get your raffle ticket!

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 19, 2024/-- It is December 3rd 1776, the American rebellion against Great Britain is fluttering. The Continental Army is lacking enough soldiers, supplies, allies (France), and a crushing defeat seams on the horizon. George Washington, the American forces’ commander-in-chief, writes: “I think the game is pretty near up.”

Fast-forward to May 14th 2024, Arsenal fans go to bed after seeing their fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur thrashed 2-0 by defending champions Manchester City in the English Premier League. City climb back to the top of the table with a game remaining, and are in the best position to win four league titles in a row. An Arsenal fan in Nairobi reminds himself: “It is the hope that kills you!”

Chancing with Chance

How do you chance with chance, with constrained resources or within a limited environment? When you have to put bread on the table. When your life depends on it.

The main reason we take chances, the main reason I personally take chances is because, life is complex and difficult to predict. Hence, to increase the chance occurrence to succeed we have to take risks, bets, and still do fine with failure. Michael Scott from the office once said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” (Comically quoting Wayne Gretzky)

Last week, going through the legendary investor Jim Simons’ tributes on social media, I picked a resounding message based on his mantra; Mathematics, Common Sense and Good Luck. That is what you need to successful. For us, we ought to try various options, make mistakes, and to learn from them.

Beyond the English Premier League’s flair for the dramatic. Even knowing very well that circumspection and caution in life cannot completely cover you from the capriciousness of chance. Today, I ask you to go get your raffle ticket!

Who gets the crown jewels?

West Ham United has nothing to play for, but just maybe a good sendoff for their outgoing manager David Moyes. Technically, they can miraculously overcome the opposition by set-pieces and by individual brilliance, a well-taken free-kick by the likes of James Ward-Prowse could make things more thrilling. However, their greatest strength is futile against a City squad with one of the League’s best set-piece defenses.

Arsenal on the other side does not have an easy kick-off against Everton. Historical data shows, Arteta has a better side with having lost just one of the last 27 league home games against them. However, Sean Dyche’s side has lost just one game of their last 8 games.

All-in-all, the reason for this much anxiety for Arsenal fraternity lies in the realities of simple mathematics. Arsenal has to win and Manchester City has to drop points at home to West Ham, for them to seize the silverware.

Miracle in Munich Moment or the Aguerooo Effect!

This is a case for Arsenal. Arsenal is a young premier league challenger, best side since the Invincibles, worthy champions who are playing football at the stratosphere, but shrouded in the Manchester City Era of domination. Anything can happen! And that uncertainty, for once has supercharged me for Today!

Arsenal fans can peg their hopes on the 1988/89 season’s final day, 35 years ago, when they came from second place to beat Liverpool at the glorious Anfield, and lift the title. With no chance in hell, Arsenal did the impossible, and Today it is within their control!

Over the years, City has out-manned, outgunned, and outspent its competition. If fairly, that is a story for another day. Biased me, believes Arsenal’s luck is merited. And the gods should do justice!

Have a Super Sunday!

By Phineahs Munene

email feedback to phineahs [at] wazomoja.com

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