Southampton vs Arsenal LIVE!
Arsenal wrapped up their season with a 2-1 win away from home against Southampton. Mathematically, the Gunners still needed a point to confirm second place in the Premier League as only an extraordinary - albeit highly unlikely - set of results on the final day could have denied them a third consecutive top-two finish.
Kieran Tierney, on his farewell appearance for the north London outfit, broke the deadlock late in the first-half as he turned home Ben White’s cross. The lead was erased early in the second half when Ross Stewart punished the visitors from a set-piece. Staring a 15th league draw in the face, captain Martin Odegaard turned a point into three with a brilliant effort.
As for the Saints, they were always guaranteed to finish rock-bottom after registering just two league wins all season. They return to Championship having become the first team to lose 30 games in a single Premier League campaign. Follow Southampton vs Arsenal back below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, featuring expert analysis from Simon Collings at St Mary's Stadium!
Southampton vs Arsenal latest news
- GOAL! Odegaard wins it for Arsenal
- GOAL! Stewart equalises for Southampton
- GOAL! Tierney breaks the deadlock
Arsenal player ratings
18:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneKieran Tierney 8 | Star man
Signed off from Arsenal in style by scoring the opening goal of the game. Put in a couple of dangerous crosses and did well at left centre-back.
Oleksandr Zinchenko 6
Picked at left-back in what could be his final appearance for Arsenal. A few nice moments on the ball and went close to scoring in the second half.
Ethan Nwaneri 6
Started a game for the first time since April 12 and was given a central role, with Odegaard on the bench. The odd bright moment, but pretty quiet.
Click here for our full Arsenal player ratings!
Arsenal win on final day
18:14 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal 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.
Southampton 1-2 Arsenal
17:57 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFULL-TIME
Arsenal claim all three points on the final day of the season.
Southampton 1-2 Arsenal
17:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne93+3 min: Concern for Saka as he is down requiring treatment.
GOAL! Southampton 1-2 Arsenal | Martin Odegaard '89
17:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne89 min: GOALLLLL
Is that the winner? Martin Odegaard arrows an effort into the bottom corner to restore Arsenal’s lead.
Superb strike.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
17:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne85 min: Another Southampton change as Ugochukwu is replaced by Sanda.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
17:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne83 min: All Arsenal at the moment, but can they find a winning goal?
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
17:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: Archer and Smallbone are on for Southampton.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
17:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne75 min: GOAA...NOOOO
Saka puts the rebound into the net but his celebrations are cut short as he was offside.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
17:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne74 min: Martin Odegaard is on for Ethan Nwaneri and the captain’s armband is passed around again.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
17:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: As Havertz sees a header deflected behind for a corner, there has been a massive goal elsewhere.
Everton lead at Newcastle and as things stand, the Magpies are missing out on Champions League qualification.
Wonder what impact this could have on Alexander Isak’s future...
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
17:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Desperate defending by Southampton but Zinchenko’s effort doesn’t lead to a goal.
Changes for both sides. Onuachu replaces Southampton’s goalscorer Stewart.
Lewis-Skelly and Havertz replace Zinchenko and Martinelli.
Simon Collings St Mary's Stadium
17:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSaka has made a big difference since coming on, creating a couple of chances in a matter of minutes.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
17:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne67 min: Martinelli pulls the ball back for Saka who lays the ball back for Zinchenko whose effort is blocked superbly by Taylor.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
17:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne65 min: For those keeping track, Thomas Partey is now playing as a centre-back.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
17:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: Activity on the Arsenal bench is followed by a double change.
ON: Saka and Trossard
OFF: Sterling and Tierney
Rice hands over the captain’s armband to Saka.
Simon Collings St Mary's Stadium
17:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnother set-piece goal conceded by Arsenal - which has been a theme in recent weeks. Something to work on this summer.
GOAL! Southampton 1-1 Arsenal | Ross Stewart '56
17:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: GOALLLL
Ross Stewart equalises the hosts!
Southampton 0-1 Arsenal
17:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne55 min: Southampton free-kick in a dangerous area.
Four players standing over the ball. Fernandes takes and strikes the ball straight into the wall.
Robinson then goes on a mazy run and forces a good save from Raya.
Southampton 0-1 Arsenal
17:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne51 min: Stewart has started the second half well, making a few long balls stick to him. But Southampton are unable to build off him.
Nwaneri tests Ramsdale with one of his trademark efforts but the Saints keeper makes the save.
Southampton 0-1 Arsenal
17:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne48 min: Sterling and Martinelli have definitely swapped wings. Can the latter get some joy on the left and struggling for large periods on the opposite flank?
Southampton 0-1 Arsenal
17:02 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway at St Mary's.
No changes from either side, 45 more minutes of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
HALF-TIME
16:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSouthampton 0-1 Arsenal
The final act of the half sees Sulemana shoot into the side netting after a brilliant solo run.
There goes the half-time whistle and Kieran Tierney’s goal is the difference between the two sides.
Simon Collings St Mary's Stadium
16:46 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNot sure what on earth Tierney was doing in the six-yard box, given he is playing centre-back, but that's a lovely moment for him. The perfect farewell gift.
GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Arsenal | Kieran Tierney '43
16:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne43 min: GOALLLLLL
Kieran Tierney gets on the scoresheet to mark his final Arsenal appearance in style.
It is a really good finish from the defender, meeting Ben White’s cross at the near post.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne41 min: Sulemana gets out to Zinchenko from the resulting corner to deflect the effort for another corner.
Rice takes but Ramsdale manages to push the ball away.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne40 min: SAVE
Arsenal go route one to Martinelli, through on goal but the Brazilian is denied by Ramsdale who rushed off his line.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne38 min: Sulemana has been Southampton’s biggest threat so far. In fact, you could say he has been the only bright spark of this game.
Gets in behind the Arsenal defence - looked offside - but is easily tackled as he approached the box.
Simon Collings St Mary's Stadium
16:36 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis is, to put it politely, not a classic. No urgency at all in the game - and you cannot really blame either side. It's nice and sunny, at least.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne33 min: You hear so much about Arsenal needing a striker.
We have just got further evidence of that with no takers for Kieran Tierney’s great cross.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne30 min: Big chance for Southampton after Nwaneri is caught in possession. Ball is hung up in the air for Stewart who mis-times his header and puts his header wide.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne26 min: Partey is afforded space and he accepts the invitation to shoot but his effort is straight at Ramsdale who makes a comfortable save.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne24 min: CROSSBAR
Merino meets Martinelli’s cross but his effort comes back off the crossbar.
Simon Collings St Mary's Stadium
16:24 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSouthampton fans having some fun, here, even if they are going down. Currently singing: "Tottenham Hotspur, they've won more you!"
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne23 min: Goal news
Man City have taken the lead away at Fulham. Not that it matters to Arsenal at the moment.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: Sugawara lets fly from distance and the ball deflects off Rice before going out for a corner.
Saints players were convinced of a handball, but VAR checks and clears the decision. No penalty.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne18 min: Southampton get from back into front in a flash after Sterling’s poor cross is cleared and Sulemana gets the hosts up the field to win a corner.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne16 min: Sterling is caught by Sulemana and Arsenal have a free-kick.
They will want to make better usage of this set-piece situation as the last one ended up with Zinchenko going all the way back to Raya.
Nwaneri whips the ball in but Southampton deal with the cross comfortably.
Simon Collings St Mary's Stadium
16:13 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAn intriguing dynamic today, with Arteta watching the game sat next to Josh Kroenke. I wonder if those summer transfer plans may come up a bit.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne11 min: Feels like Southampton have kept the ball for at least two minutes. Just as I write that, they lose possession with a sloppy pass that goes straight out of play.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: Wondering why Mikel Arteta is not on the touchline this afternoon?
Well, the Arsenal manager is serving a suspension after picking up three yellow cards this season.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: Great skill from Nwaneri, lays the ball off for Sterling who off balance slices an effort well wide.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: Bit of a scare for Arsenal as Downes is afforded too much space, his clipped cross into the box is only partially dealt with by White and a mini scramble ensues before the Gunners get the ball clear.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne4 min: Another attempt by Arsenal as Martinelli picks out Merino in the middle but the Spaniard, unmarked, can’t keep his header down.
Decent chance that.
Simon Collings St Mary's Stadium
16:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFunky looking Arsenal team. Looks like Tierney left centre-back. Zinchenko at left-back. Partey and Rice almost in a double pivot at times, with Nwaneri as a No10.
Southampton 0-0 Arsenal
16:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: Mikel Arteta has thrown us all with this team selection!
Tierney is at centre-back, Zinchenko at left-back, Partey in midfield and Merino down the middle.
Martinelli has the first attempt of the afternoon as he heads straight at Ramsdale.
KICK-OFF!
16:01 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this Premier League clash.
Simon Collings St Mary's Stadium
15:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJosh Kroenke, after being in Lisbon yesterday, is in the Directors' Box at St. Mary's this afternoon.
Here we go!
15:56 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRight then, here come the teams.
Declan Rice leads out Arsenal, and Aaron Ramsdale does the same for Southampton!
Kick-off is on the way.
Around the grounds
15:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt’s a full house in the Premier League this afternoon.
10 games all kicking off at the same time and it’s fair to say some fixtures have far more riding on it than others.
Bournemouth vs Leicester
Fulham vs Man City
Ipswich vs West Ham
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Man Utd vs Aston Villa
Newcastle vs Everton
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Southampton vs Arsenal
Tottenham vs Brighton
Wolves vs Brentford
Arteta makes exciting new Arsenal transfer vow amid Rodrygo links
15:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMikel Arteta believes Arsenal should be in for the “best players”, amid reports they are interested in a deal for Real Madrid star Rodrygo.
Arsenal are in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer and manager Arteta has stressed they need to add “goals” and “creativity” to their squad.
The Gunners have been linked with a string of forwards and most recently Real Madrid winger Rodrygo has been mentioned as a target.
Arteta refused to be drawn on specific targets during his press conference on Thursday morning, but he believes Arsenal should be in the conversation for the game’s top players if the club are to achieve their aim of lifting silverware.
Read Arteta’s full quotes here!
Permutations
15:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt is all very simple for Arsenal this afternoon.
A win or draw confirms second place in the Premier League table.
Should they lose, a top-two finish will only be in serious doubt if Manchester City run up a high score away at Fulham.
Not long now!
15:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAround 20 minutes to go until kick-off at St Mary's!
The 101-year record Arsenal could break
15:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIf Arsenal beat Southampton today, they will have won their final league game for a 14th successive year.
That means the Gunners will break the record for the most consecutive top-flight season-enders won consecutively, which has stood for 101 years.
Team news reminder
15:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is a reminder of today's starting lineups
Southampton XI: Ramsdale; Sugawara, Wood, Taylor; Fernandes, Downes, Ugochukwu, Welington; Robinson, Sulemana; Stewart
Subs: McCarthy, Bree, Manning, Sanda, Moore, Smallbone, Aribo, Archer, Onuachu.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Partey, White, Kiwior, Tierney, Zinchenko, Merino, Rice, Nwaneri, Sterling, Martinelli.
Subs: Neto, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Henry-Francis, Odegaard, Saka, Kabia, Trossard, Havertz.
Simon Collings St Mary's Stadium
15:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSimon Collings is in position for us at St Mary’s and he has delivered his verdict on the Arsenal team that Mikel Arteta has selected...
🗣 "You could say there is four players in the Arsenal team who might not play for the club again."@sr_collings gives his thoughts on the Arsenal team news!
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) May 25, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/UlOUlzH0bg#SOUARS | #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/SnWGQOi3rL
Raya chasing Golden Glove
15:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDavid Raya is in with a chance of winning the Premier League Golden Glove award for successive seasons.
Currently on 12 clean sheets - tied with Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels - the Spaniard will take home the trophy once again should he ensure no goals hit the back of his net this afternoon.
The Golden Glove is shared if they both finish on the same number of clean sheets.
Arsenal dressing room
15:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBehind the scenes at St Mary’s as the Arsenal dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.
Southampton team
15:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAaron Ramsdale, as expected, lines up against his former club this afternoon.
No Tyler Dibling at all for the Saints.
Still announced as Southampton manager
15:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHuge news for the home side ahead of kick-off.
Will Still has been confirmed as the new Southampton manager and his first task will be to get the Saints back in the Premier League at the first time of asking...
Still's the one ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BLV2IPcEaA
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 25, 2025
Rice captains Arsenal
15:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePlenty to unpack from the Arsenal starting XI.
- Declan Rice named as captain
- Starts for Raheem Sterling, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney
- No Riccardo Calafiori in the matchday squad
Southampton team in full
14:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSouthampton XI: Ramsdale; Sugawara, Wood, Taylor; Fernandes, Downes, Ugochukwu, Welington; Robinson, Sulemana; Stewart
Subs: McCarthy, Manning, Aribo, Smallbone, Bree, Archer, Onuachu, Sanda, Moore.
Arsenal team in full
14:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal XI: Raya, Partey, White, Kiwior, Tierney, Zinchenko, Merino, Rice, Nwaneri, Sterling, Martinelli.
Subs: Neto, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Henry-Francis, Odegaard, Saka, Kabia, Trossard, Havertz.
CONFIRMED SOUTHAMPTON XI
14:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLining up for the hosts this afternoon...
Your final day Saints 👊 pic.twitter.com/UpCRRyXJsJ
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 25, 2025
CONFIRMED ARSENAL XI
14:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Arsenal team that Mikel Arteta has selected for the final game of the season...
⚫️ 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔴
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 25, 2025
🏴 Tierney at the back
🏴 Rice skippers the side
🇧🇷 Martinelli up top
Let's end the season with a flourish, Gunners 👊
Team news on the way
14:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTeam news coming up from St Mary's shortly...
Calafiori set for big chance
14:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWhen Riccardo Calafiori signed for Arsenal last summer, the idea of the Italian waiting until the final day of the season to start a Premier League game at centre-back seemed unthinkable.
Calafiori had, after all, just put himself on the map by starring in the heart of Italy’s defence during Euro 2024, with Arsenal paying Bologna over £40million to bring him in.
Arsenal signed Calafiori with the belief he could play left-back or centre-back, but nearly all of his time in north London, so far, has been spent as a full-back.
In fact, Calafiori has started just one game at centre-back all season - with that coming against Bolton in the Carabao Cup third round all the way back in September.
Today presents the 23-year-old with the chance to double that tally and also earn a first Premier League start in the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
Southampton vs Arsenal stats
14:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne- All eight of Southampton’s Premier League wins against Arsenal have come in home games, most recently in April 2022. It’s the most victories one team has against another in the competition without any coming away from home.
- Arsenal have lost just two of their last 16 Premier League games against Southampton (W8 D6), going down in December 2018 (2-3) and April 2022 (0-1).
- This is the second time Southampton and Arsenal are meeting on the final day of a Premier League campaign. Saints previously won 3-2 in the final game at the Dell in 2000-01, with the Gunners finishing second for the third season in a row back then.
Congratulations to the new champions of Europe
14:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are less than 24 hours removed from one of the most historic results for Arsenal.
Yesterday evening, Renee Slegers lead the Gunners to victory over Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final.
As a result, Arsenal have been crowned champions of Europe for the second time in their history and first since 2007.
Rusk relishing Arsenal test
14:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSouthampton may be down and out already but interim manager Simon Rusk is relishing today's game at home to Arsenal.
He said: "Great challenge for us, we need to be right defensively. But every game presents an opportunity. I’ve spoken about playing with pride and dignity.
"It’s one where we want to get over the line and finish in the best possible way. It's really important for us to build some confidence and some momentum."
Predicted Arsenal XI
14:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArsenal will welcome back Mikel Merino after he served a one-match suspension against Newcastle.
The Spaniard could come into the team in place of Declan Rice, who has been struggling with a hamstring issue of late.
Kai Havertz will be pushing to start after making his comeback last weekend following hamstring surgery in February.
The match at St Mary’s is set to be Jorginho and Kieran Tierney’s final appearances for Arsenal. The pair will both likely feature - but it is unclear if they will get the nod to start.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Kiwior, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Merino; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Arsenal meeting set
14:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMikel Arteta will sit down with the Arsenal hierarchy next week to review this season and create a plan to end the club’s trophy drought.
Arsenal hold performance reviews every two months and Arteta has revealed the latest one is due to take place after the final game of the season against Southampton on Sunday.
Arteta has revealed how the meetings are of a collaborative nature, with both he and the club’s hierarchy giving each other feedback.
Arsenal missed out on their attempts to win major silverware during the current campaign, and both Arteta and the club will use this next performance review to create a plan that will hopefully end that five-year wait next season.
Today's settings...
14:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJust under two hours to go until kick-off at St Mary’s...
All is still and calm at St Mary's 🏡 pic.twitter.com/FDjtnVSccd
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 25, 2025
Southampton vs Arsenal latest match odds
14:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSouthampton to win: 9/1
Arsenal to win: 1/5
Draw: 4/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Southampton vs Arsenal: Head to head (h2h) history and results
13:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSouthampton are somewhat of Arsenal’s bogey team, especially at St Mary’s as they are unbeaten in three of the last four meetings on home soil.
In fact, the Gunners’ win in the reverse fixture earlier in the season was their first in three attempts.
Southampton wins: 23
Arsenal wins: 47
Draws: 27
Score prediction
13:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe pressure is off Arsenal for a change so that could lead to a more relaxed performance. There is a reason Southampton are going down with one of the lowest points totals in Premier League history and this is a chance to grab some goals.
Arsenal to win, 3-0.
Arsenal team news
13:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWilliam Saliba and Jurrien Timber have been ruled out through injury which opens the door for Riccardo Calafiori to start in his favoured central defensive role.
Mikel Merino is available again after suspension, but Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel and Takehiro Tomiyasu will not feature this afternoon.
Southampton team news
13:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneInterim manager Simon Rusk has confirmed Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jan Bednarek have joined Albert Gronbaek on the sidelines for the visit of Arsenal.
Aaron Ramsdale is in line to face the club he left last summer.
How to follow Southampton vs Arsenal
13:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: The game will not be broadcast in the UK.
LIVE coverage: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s live blog, featuring expert analysis from Simon Collings at the ground.
Welcome
13:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Southampton vs Arsenal!
Can Arsenal end the Premier League season on a high note? Mikel Arteta's side are heavy favourites to swat away bottom side Southampton and confirm a top-two finish for a third year in a row.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 4pm BST from St Mary's Stadium. Stick with us!
