Southampton 1-2 Arsenal: Martin Odgeaard helps depleted Gunners break 101-year record as second place confirmed

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·25. Mai 2025

Southampton 1-2 Arsenal: Martin Odgeaard helps depleted Gunners break 101-year record as second place confirmed

Gunners confirm top-two finish with hard fought win over Southampton

Match winner: Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard

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Arsenal confirmed a third successive top-two Premier League finish after a 2-1 win over Southampton.

In truth, the Gunners were all-but guaranteed second place and Champions League qualification before a ball had even been kicked at St Mary’s.

However, as it was still mathematically possible to be caught by Manchester City, Arsenal had a job to do on the final day of the season - even if Mikel Arteta’s team selection did not reflect that.

Already without William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel and Takehiro Tomiyasu, the Gunners boss’ defensive options decreased even further upon arrival on the south coast with Riccardo Calafiori not named in the matchday squad.

That said, Arteta did hand rare starts to a number of players perhaps featuring for Arsenal for the final time.

One of those is Kieran Tierney and he broke the deadlock shortly before half-time with an instinctive finish at the near post to turn home Ben White’s cross.

The lead did not last long as Arsenal’s frailties at defending set-pieces were exposed once again early in the second half, allowing Ross Stewart to equalise with his first Premier League goal of the season.

Staring a 15th league draw in the face, Arteta brought on all of his big guns; Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz.

Saka had a goal correctly chalked off for offside but the captain did score in the 89th minute. Odgeaard arrowed a low effort into the bottom corner from 20 yards out to ensure Arsenal broke a 101-year top-flight record by winning their final game for a 14th consecutive season.