Southampton vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Arsenal’s 2024/25 season concludes with a trip to the league’s bottom side Southampton.

Barring an improbable turn of events, the Gunners are destined to finish as runners-up behind Premier League champions Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s defensive options have been severely depleted over the last few weeks. William Saliba is the latest casualty after being substituted at half-time during last weekend’s 1-0 win over Newcastle due to a slight hamstring issue.

Alongside Saliba, Jurrien Timber also recently joined the injury list. A persistent ankle injury required surgery to fix, but the former Ajax defender should return in time for pre-season. Gabriel and Takehiro Tomiyasu also remain on the treatment table with long-term absentee Gabriel Jesus.

Southampton have been cut adrift at the foot of the table for the majority of the season, which has resulted in their demotion into the Championship.

Interim manager Simon Rusk has a defensive crisis of his own to contend with. Central defenders Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jan Bednarek have both been ruled out.

The former sustained an ankle injury in the final Premier League game at Goodison Park last weekend, while the latter has been struggling with a knee problem.

Kyle Walker-Peters is also a doubt through illness and has missed the last fortnight of action. Rennes loanee Albert Gronbaek is the only other confirmed absentee with an Achilles injury.

Southampton vs Arsenal – Match Preview and team news

Form

Southampton: DLLDL

Southampton were the final team to visit Goodison Park in the Premier League as they lost 2-0 to Everton.

The Saints couldn’t spoil the party with Iliman Ndiaye’s brace sealing the victory for the Toffees.

This afternoon, the South Coast club play their final game in the top-flight before relegation. It has been a torrid term for Southampton, but they have managed to avoid being the worst-ever team in Premier League history by a single point.

Simon Rusk’s team earned their 12th point a fortnight ago courtesy of a spirited home display against Manchester City. No team has conceded more goals or scored fewer than Southampton this campaign.

Arsenal: LLLDW

Arsenal ended their five-game winless run with a crucial victory over Newcastle United last weekend.

Declan Rice’s sweeping strike was the difference in the capital as the Gunners confirmed their place in the Champions League next season.

It signalled the conclusion of a turbulent period for Mikel Arteta’s side. In a troubling spell, Arsenal lost both legs of their Champions League semi-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain while also being beaten at home by Bournemouth.

Ultimately, it is another season without silverware for the North London outfit. Barring an unlikely swing of final-day results and goal difference, Arsenal have now finished second in three successive campaigns.

Last Meeting: Arsenal 3-1 Southampton, Premier League, 5th October 2024

Arsenal survived a fleeting scare to beat Southampton 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium back in October.

After a goalless first half, the Saints broke the deadlock through Cameron Archer.

Just moments after Matheus Fernandes’ improvised effort landed on the roof of the net, Archer cut inside and drove a piercing finish into the bottom corner.

However, their lead lasted only three minutes as the Gunners responded swiftly. Flynn Downes’ pass was intercepted by Thomas Partey and the midfielder found Kai Havertz.

The German caught out former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsale with a rasping strike that clipped the post on its way in. A case of home comforts for Havertz, who netted at the Emirates Stadium for the seventh successive match.

Midway through the second period, the hosts completed the turnaround. Bukayo Saka’s deep delivery floated over every yellow shirt and reached Gabriel Martinelli at the back post. The winger’s first-time volley flew over Ramsdale’s leg and rippled the net.

Despite falling behind, Southampton still threatened and were inches away from equalising. Teenage prodigy Tyler Dibling shifted the ball past Leandro Trossard and tried his luck from 25 yards. David Raya was sprawling as the shot grazed the outside of the upright.

Arsenal sealed the three points in the closing stages as a result of indecisive defending from Yukinari Sugawara. Bukayo Saka pounced on the full-back’s loose touch and venomously swept in his side’s third of the afternoon.

Victory for the Gunners took them within one point of league leaders Liverpool.

Predicted Line-ups

Southampton: Ramsdale; Bree, Wood, Stephens, Manning, Wellington; Downes, Ugochukwu; Dibling, Fernandes; Archer.

Arsenal: Raya; White, Calafiori, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Trossard.

Who is the referee?

Darren Bond will be the match official. Marc Perry and George Byrne will assist him while Gavin Ward will be the fourth official.  Graham Scott will be on VAR duty and James Mainwaring will assist him.

What TV channel will Southampton vs Arsenal be on?

Southampton vs Arsenal will not be available to watch in the United Kingdom.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at St. Mary’s Stadium will be at 16:00 BST on Sunday 25th May 2025.

Southampton vs Arsenal Betting Odds

Southampton: 11/1

Draw: 19/4

Arsenal: 1/4

Read – The most dramatic final day games in Premier League history

See more – Scott-etto McTominay, Ange Season 3, trophy droughts ended

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