Southampton, already relegated from the Premier League, made history on Sunday as they became the first club to suffer 30 losses in a single season. Their unfortunate milestone came after a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the final match of the season held at St Mary’s Stadium.
Arsenal, who had previously secured their place in next season’s Champions League following a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United the week prior, wrapped up the campaign with a commendable third consecutive second-place finish. They concluded the season with 71 points, finishing 10 points behind champions Liverpool, while Southampton remained at the bottom of the table, managing only 12 points across the entire season and winning just two matches.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed gratitude towards the fans for their unwavering support, stating, “We wanted to leave the season with a positive vibe, and we’ve done that. The energy has been incredible again.” The match witnessed intense moments, culminating in substitute Martin Odegaard’s dramatic late goal in the 89th minute, which secured the victory for Arsenal after Southampton’s Ross Stewart had equalized earlier in the second half.
Kieran Tierney opened the scoring for Arsenal shortly before halftime, marking a significant occasion as it was his final appearance for the club. Following his goal, Southampton’s Stewart managed to level the score with a header from a corner. Arsenal fought back, however, spurred on by a flurry of chances before Odegaard’s impressive strike clinched the win.
Despite the loss, Southampton welcomes newly appointed manager Will Still, who was present to observe the match from the stands. For Arsenal, goalkeeper David Raya earned the Golden Glove for the second consecutive season, having achieved 13 clean sheets this campaign.
As the curtains close on this season, Arsenal’s journey, although marred with challenges, also showcases their potential and resilience. With a foundation to build upon, there’s hope for improvement and success as they prepare for the upcoming season and their campaigns in both domestic and European competitions.
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