5 things we learned: Chelsea and Arsenal are ready for the season to end

In Premier League matchweek 29, Arsenal and Chelsea showed they can’t be bothered anymore, Mohamed Salah continued his fabulous season and more.

Chelsea don’t even pretend to care anymore

Chelsea are a shadow the Premier League-winning team they were less than a year ago. Antonio Conte has had to tinker and try different formations in a futile quest to revitalize the once-mighty Blues. The latest episode came in a truly insipid display against Manchester City, as Chelsea failed to create any significant chances to score and were happy to cede possession. They didn’t even have a shot on goal in the first half.

Let’s have a look at exhibit A, as Chelsea look content to sit back and let the clock run out even though they’re only down a goal:

Chelsea are playing like a team that doesn’t believe it can win the big games. Perhaps that should come as no surprise considering their manager continues to play players out of their natural positions (Eden Hazard is not a false 9, nor does he seem happy playing one on TV), and refuses to use a traditional striker.

Arsenal’s players have no incentive to get better

On the face of it, Arsenal are doing all the right things: Signing young, coveted players, extending the contracts of their gifted players and focusing on integrating youth academy players. The boardroom maneuvers seem to be following a proven script for success.

More than any other club, Arsenal have provided the stability necessary for long-term success. Except there really hasn’t been any success to speak of, save for a few FA Cups that, rightly or wrongly, have done little to change the mood at the Emirates.

The one big element missing, the thousand-pound-gorilla in the room, is a lack of accountability at the top. When players realize the man in charge (and by all accounts, Arsene Wenger has been and will continue to be the man in charge) will get the support from the club owners despite the club’s shaky performances, you have to wonder whether that lack of accountability is starting to trickle down to the players.

Arsenal have enough talent to string some wins together and cause a stir, but when it comes down to it, nice wins won’t really matter if the trophies aren’t coming in and the team sits well outside of the top four. It sure seems like the brass isn’t bothered enough by the club’s lackluster results, mediocre ranking and return on their investment to make any big, meaningful changes (ahem, Arsene). There have not been any real consequences as a result of Arsenal’s mediocre run over the past decade, so why should the players show a sense of urgency? The checks keep coming in no matter what.

The Ayews, best siblings teammates since the Nevilles

The Ayew brothers were reunited during the January transfer window when Swansea splashed out to sign Andre Ayew. Andre wreaked all kinds of havoc at the weekend, handing David Moyes his second consecutive 4-1 defeat. Andre seemed particularly  motivated to inflict damage on his former team, playing a key part in three of Swansea’s four goals.

While some may have questioned the shrewdness of shelling out $26 million to bring Ayew back to the club, the move is paying dividends. Swansea are enjoying an excellent spell under new manager Carlos Carvahal, who didn’t hesitate to riff on the band of brothers theme following the 4-1 win: “We have two brothers in our team, but it looked like we played with 11 brothers today.”

The three points saw Swansea jump five spots into 13th place, may prove decisive in the relegation battle, especially as they came against another candidate for the drop.

Salah is the best attacking player in Europe not named Messi

Mohamed Salah continued to shine for Liverpool at the weekend, scoring for the seventh consecutive game and 32nd time this year. His signing is proving to be one of the savviest pieces of business in recent memory, considering the return Liverpool are getting on a transfer fee that was less than half of Romelu Lukaku’s.

Salah has just overtaken the goal mark set in 2013-14 by Luis Suarez and it’s only March. The Egyptian may be part of a more potent attack than the one masterminded by Brendan Rodgers, but the achievement is impressive all the same. Salah is only five goals away from the single-season record for Liverpool in the Premier League era, set by Robbie Fowler.

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Brighton’s no-nonsense style pays dividends

For those nostalgic for the typical English game, Brighton provide a comfortable refuge. The Seagulls know who they are and have no delusions about playing some fancy, modern version of the game. Their most recent win against Arsenal was proof that an old-school, hard nosed, direct style works. It’s refreshing to see that a small club can overcome the odds through dedication and will.

Brighton’s victory was a well deserved one on the scoreboard as well as a validation of a hard and fast playing style that will always have a soft spot in the hearts of fans of the English game.

The win puts Brighton in 10th place, seven points above the relegation zone with nine games remaining.