Arsenal can conclude the 2024/25 season with confidence.
Image credit: The Athletic | Football
The Premier League curtain closes this Sunday as Arsenal travel to St. Mary’s Stadium to face already-relegated Southampton in what should be a relaxed finale for the Gunners.
Arsenal’s Final Bow in a Familiar Position
Mikel Arteta’s side secured Champions League qualification with a narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle last weekend, confirming a top-two finish for the third consecutive campaign.
While a slim mathematical chance remains for Arsenal to lose second place due to an eight-goal swing, it’s highly improbable.
This consistency under Arteta continues to show steady progression, though a league title remains elusive.
For now, Arsenal can conclude the 2024/25 season with confidence and begin looking toward a pivotal summer of rebuilding and refinement.
Southampton’s Struggle Nears an End
Southampton’s season has been nothing short of disastrous.
Rock-bottom for much of the campaign, they flirted with breaking Derby County’s unwanted record of 11 points in a Premier League season.
Thankfully, for Saints fans, interim boss Simon Rusk steadied the ship just enough, guiding them to 12 points, including a notable 0-0 draw with Manchester City.
Still, Sunday’s clash is likely to feel more like a farewell procession for the Saints as they bid goodbye to top-flight football.
Kickoff & Match Info
- Date: Sunday, 25 May 2025
- Time: 16:00 BST
- Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
- Referee: Darren Bond
- Broadcast:
- UK: Not televised (BBC Radio Solent, talkSPORT commentary)
- US: Syfy, Peacock
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
Recent Head-to-Head Results
- Oct 2024: Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
- Apr 2023: Arsenal 3-3 Southampton
- Oct 2022: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal
- Apr 2022: Southampton 1-0 Arsenal
- Dec 2021: Arsenal 3-0 Southampton
Team News & Projected Lineups
Southampton
Injuries have plagued Southampton, with Albert Gronbaek, Charlie Taylor, and Ryan Fraser all likely to miss out.
Defender Kyle Walker-Peters should recover from illness, while Jan Bednarek remains a doubt.
Predicted XI:
Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Stephens; Walker-Peters, Ugochukwu, Downes, Welington; Downes, Fernandes; Sulemana
Arsenal
Defensive concerns linger for Arteta. William Saliba (hamstring) and Jurrien Timber (ankle surgery) are ruled out.
Gabriel is still unavailable, meaning Riccardo Calafiori and Jakub Kiwior could pair up in central defense.
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz is pushing for a start after a return from injury, and both Jorginho and Kieran Tierney could feature in their potential final games for the club.
Predicted XI:
Raya; White, Kiwior, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho, Rice, Nwaneri; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Match Prediction
Arsenal typically finish strong and should dominate a depleted Southampton side.
While the Saints may sneak in a consolation goal—possibly benefiting from Arsenal’s reshuffled backline—expect the Gunners to deliver a comprehensive win.
Scoreline Prediction: Southampton 1-4 Arsenal
