EPL: Arsenal Edge Southampton 2-1 with 89th-Minute Winner

Arsenal secured a 2-1 win over Southampton with Martin Odegaard scoring a decisive goal in the 89th minute, capping off a dominant performance.

Martin Odegaard scored a thrilling 89th-minute winner for Arsenal, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Southampton. The Norwegian midfielder came off the bench to fire a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner, sending Southampton to their Premier League record 30th defeat of the season.

Kieran Tierney had given Arsenal an early lead with a goal on his final appearance for the club before Ross Stewart's 56th-minute header seemed to have rescued a point for Southampton. However, Odegaard's late strike ensured Arsenal took all three points, despite converting just one of their many chances in a dominant first-half display under Mikel Arteta. The win was a testament to Arsenal's persistence and Odegaard's clinical finishing.

Ending the season with all three points ⚡ pic.twitter.com/AiotOLuvxS

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 25, 2025

The match was intense, with Mikel Merino, Thomas Partey, and Gabriel Martinelli all testing the goalkeeper. However, it was Kieran Tierney who broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute, slotting home Ben White's cross at the near post. Tierney's goal came just before halftime, and he will look to build on this momentum as he prepares to return to Celtic at the end of the season.

Southampton had their chances, particularly on the counter-attack, with Kamaldeen Sulemana causing problems for the Arsenal defense. The Saints had a penalty claim waved away in the first half for handball against Declan Rice, but they eventually found their equalizer on the 56th minute. Adam Armstrong's corner was met by Stuart Armstrong, who rose highest at the far post to level the score after Jay Robinson's initial shot had forced the corner.

First Arsenal goalkeeper to achieve back-to-back Premier League Golden Glove awards...

Congratulations, David 🧤 pic.twitter.com/HxZKAGEo8A

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 25, 2025

The game remained intense after the equalizer, with Arsenal pushing for the win. Declan Rice nearly bundled home a second, but his effort was cleared off the line. Bukayo Saka also had a goal ruled out for offside, but substitute Martin Odegaard sealed the win with a late goal, securing a thrilling victory for Arsenal.

The outcome of the match didn't impact either team's league standings. Arsenal secured second place, while Southampton finished at the bottom of the table, already relegated. Despite the result having no bearing on the league table, the match itself was intense and closely contested, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. In the end, Odegaard's late winner gave Arsenal a thrilling victory.

The match at St Mary's seemed to have little at stake, as Arsenal had already secured their Champions League spot a week prior with a win over Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium. With their position in the league table all but sealed, Arsenal's second-place finish was also unlikely to change, unless a significant swing in goal difference occurred. However, given Southampton's struggles in front of goal, having scored just 25 goals in 37 matches, such a scenario seemed improbable.

The match did hold some personal significance for Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, who was vying to retain the Golden Glove award for most clean sheets. However, after conceding in the match against Southampton, Raya ultimately shared the award with Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels, both keeping 13 clean sheets each. Despite the lack of major stakes, the match still held importance for individual accolades and bragging rights.

After conceding a goal on Sunday, David Raya shared the Golden Glove award with Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels, both of whom kept 13 clean sheets each. Meanwhile, Southampton's season had already been marked by a historic low, as they became the earliest team to be relegated in Premier League history on April 6.

The Saints had briefly found some solace in a goalless draw against Manchester City a fortnight ago, which allowed them to surpass Derby County's record low mark of 11 points. However, with relegation already confirmed, Sunday's match offered a chance for the players to showcase their skills, particularly with incoming manager Will Still in attendance, watching from the stands. The players may have been motivated to make a positive impression on their new coach.

Will Still was confirmed as Southampton's new manager just before kick-off, signing a three-year contract to succeed Ivan Juric. This appointment marks the club's fifth permanent managerial change since the start of the 2022-23 season, highlighting the turmoil the team has faced.

Still faces a daunting task, taking charge of a side that has struggled throughout the season. Southampton managed just 12 points, and their 14-match winless run, which dates back to February 1, reflects their dire form. The team also holds unwanted records, boasting the league's worst attack with 26 goals and the worst defense with 86 goals conceded. This season has been a challenging one for the Saints, and Still's job will be to turn things around.

Despite the defeat, there were some positive takeaways for Southampton. The team showed promise on the counter-attack, with Kamaldeen Sulemana's pace causing Arsenal problems. Youngster Jay Robinson also impressed on his first start, and the Saints put up a spirited defensive display against Arsenal's relentless attack.

However, new manager Will Still will be well aware of the significant challenge ahead. Restoring Southampton to Premier League status won't be easy, and Still will need to work hard to turn things around. The team's struggles this season have been evident, and Still's task will be to build a winning mentality and improve the team's fortunes for a successful promotion campaign.