Article body analysed
By ISAAN KHAN Published: 02: 59 AEST, 26 May 2025 | Updated: 05: 04 AEST, 26 May 2025 39 View comments Having seen Declan Rice take the captain’s armband, substitute Martin Odegaard had a point to prove. Questions have long been swirling about his recent performances in comparison to Rice, who has risen in the ranks in regards to performance and leadership standing. The Norwegian emerged from the bench to strike Arsenal’s winner late on and end their campaign with a win in front of the top brass. The goal was a neat move, jinking on to his left foot to strike from outside the area on 89 minutes. Mikel Arteta, serving a touchline ban, was sat next to co-chair Josh Kroenke in the director’s box. After this performance against an already relegated Southampton, the need for attacking firepower this summer will have been etched further in the mind of Kroenke. It’s the first time the Gunners have ended a league campaign without any players scoring 10 or more goals since the 1923-24 season. Martin Odegaard came on with a point to prove and scored in front of the club's top brass Kieran Tierney scored in what is likely his Arsenal farewell as they beat Southampton 2-1 Ross Stewart got on the scoresheet but Southampton's top-flight stay ended with a whimper Afterwards, Arteta claimed he already has ‘goosebumps’ about next season. He said: ‘Tomorrow we already have some things that we are discussing and making decisions (for next season). ‘The moment I start to think about that, I feel goosebumps and excitement. And this is a really good sign always. ’ A nostalgic point for the visitors was Kieran Tierney’s first-half goal on 43 minutes, steering home Ben White’s low cross at the front post. The 27-year-old looked in shock after scoring on his final appearance for the Gunners, the defender set to join Celtic this summer. It was a fitting moment for a player who joined Arsenal in August 2019 and has been a loyal player for Arteta over the years. An hour before kick-off, Southampton announced Will Still as their new manager on a three-year deal and he was in the stands. Arsenal made five changes to their line-up which included Bukayo Saka on the bench, and no Riccardo Calafiori in the squad. Mikel Merino had a couple of headed chances early on, including one which crashed off the crossbar. Southampton looked sprightly on the counter-attack through Kamaldeen Sulemana, who broke through on occasion and came close to scoring just before the break. Yuki Sugawara’s long-range effort struck Declan Rice’s arm, but calls for a penalty were waved away by referee Darren Bond. Arsenal have finished as runners-up in the Premier League for a third consecutive campaign Mikel Arteta was confined to the stands with a touchline ban but still had occasion to smile Southampton's confirmed new manager Will Still took his seat with girlfriend Emma Saunders The Saints struck through Ross Stewart’s header off a Mateus Fernandes corner after 56 minutes, before the Gunners eventually got their winner via Odegaard. Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League for a third consecutive season after beating Southampton 2-1. Kieran Tierney signed off in style with a rare goal in what is likely his final game for the Gunners just before half-time. Ross Stewart gave Southampton fans something to cheer as he nodded home an equaliser early in the second half. But substitute Martin Odegaard had other ideas, as he restored Arsenal's lead in the 89th minute to send Southampton to the Championship with a whimper.
Share what you think
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mail Online.
By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on Mail Online. To do this we will link your Mail Online account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group