Defender Kieran Tierney scored for Arsenal in his last game for the team.
Image credit: Gooner Chris
In a dramatic final game of the Premier League season, Arsenal beat Southampton 2–1, thanks to a last-minute goal by Martin Odegaard.
The match was played at St. Mary’s Stadium in front of over 31,000 fans.
How the Match Played Out
Arsenal Scores First: Defender Kieran Tierney scored for Arsenal in the 43rd minute, giving his team a 1–0 lead just before halftime.
It was a special moment because it was his last game for the team before returning to Celtic.
Southampton Fights Back: In the 56th minute, Southampton’s Ross Stewart scored with a powerful header to make it 1–1.
The team looked energized and hoped to finish the season with a draw.
The Deciding Goal: Just when it looked like the game would end in a tie, Martin Odegaard scored in the 89th minute with a great low shot into the corner of the net, giving Arsenal the win.
What It Means
For Arsenal: The win didn’t change much in the standings. Arsenal had already secured second place in the league.
But the win was a good way to end a strong season, and they’ll be playing in the Champions League next year.
For Southampton: Sadly for Southampton, this was their 30th loss of the season – the most ever in Premier League history.
They had already been relegated (sent to a lower league) in early April. It’s been a tough year for the team, with only 12 points and just 26 goals scored.
New Beginnings for Southampton
Although the match didn’t affect the league standings, it was important for the future.
Southampton’s new manager, Will Still, watched the game from the stands. He will take over next season and hopes to lead the team back to the Premier League.
Some Good Signs
Even though they lost, Southampton showed some fight.
Young player Jay Robinson played well, and Kamaldeen Sulemana caused problems for Arsenal with his speed.
The team also worked hard on defense against a very strong Arsenal attack.
Key Facts
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya finished the season with 13 “clean sheets” (games without allowing a goal).
He shares the Golden Glove award with Nottingham Forest’s goalkeeper, Matz Sels.
