The spotlight was on Martin Odegaard as he came off the bench, determined to show why he belongs among Arsenal’s leaders.
With Declan Rice having recently grabbed the captain’s armband and raised questions about leadership and form, Odegaard had something to prove—and boy, did he deliver.
Late Goal Lifts Arsenal Past Southampton
In the 89th minute, Odegaard showcased his class by cutting inside and curling a beautiful shot from outside the box that found the net, sealing a 2-1 win for Arsenal.
His finish wasn’t just about the goal—it was a statement to the fans and the club’s top brass, who were watching intently.
Mikel Arteta, banned from the touchline, was sitting alongside co-chair Josh Kroenke in the director’s box, surely impressed by Odegaard’s timely contribution.
A Historic Low in Arsenal’s Scoring Record
Despite the win, there’s a glaring statistic Arsenal can’t ignore: this is the first time since the 1923-24 season that no player in the squad scored 10 or more league goals in a campaign.
That fact alone underlines why Kroenke and the management will be thinking seriously about adding some attacking firepower during the summer transfer window.
Tierney’s Farewell Goal Brings Bittersweet Cheers
The game also carried emotional weight for Kieran Tierney, who scored Arsenal’s first goal just before halftime.
The defender looked genuinely surprised and moved by the moment, knowing it’s likely his final appearance for the club before his expected move to Celtic this summer.
Since joining in 2019, Tierney has been a reliable and dedicated figure in Arteta’s squad, making his farewell goal a fitting tribute.
Southampton’s New Manager and Moments of Promise
Before kickoff, Southampton announced Will Still as their new manager on a three-year contract.
He watched from the stands as his team showed flashes of energy, particularly on the counterattack.
Kamaldeen Sulemana caused problems for Arsenal’s defense, coming close to scoring just before halftime.
Southampton did find the net through Ross Stewart, who headed in an equalizer early in the second half off a Mateus Fernandes corner, giving the home fans something to cheer about.
Controversy and Changes in Lineup
Arsenal made five changes to their starting eleven, resting Bukayo Saka on the bench and leaving Riccardo Calafiori out of the squad entirely.
During the game, there was a moment of controversy when Yuki Sugawara’s long-range shot hit Declan Rice’s arm, but the referee waved away penalty appeals.
Wrapping Up a Third Straight Runner-Up Finish
Ultimately, Martin Odegaard’s late winner meant Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for the third year running.
It wasn’t the flawless season Arsenal fans hoped for, but with moments like Odegaard’s strike and Tierney’s farewell goal, there were still reasons to celebrate as the campaign closed.