Quantcast
Home   >   Features   >   Southampton vs Arsenal preview, team news, possible XI and prediction

Southampton vs Arsenal preview, team news, possible XI and prediction

By on May 15, 2025

arsenal

Arsenal take on Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

It’s been a hugely frustrating campaign for the Gunners and they’ll end the season without a trophy following the painful Champions League semi-final exit to Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal performed superbly well in Paris but couldn’t overturn the 1-0 deficit from the first leg after missing a hat-full of early chances at the Parc des Princes.

Mikel Arteta’s men suffered a European hangover during the first half at Anfield last week – trailing 2-0 to champions Liverpool at half-time. But Arsenal responded superbly and levelled things up through Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino. The Gunners looked the stronger side and could have gone on to win it but Merino was sent off in the 79th minute so the North Londoners had to settle for a point.

It was still a very useful point away to the run-away champions as Arsenal are in a fight to finish second following a poor run of form in the Premier League in recent weeks.

The Gunners have dropped points against the likes of Everton, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth in April and May, virtually handing the title to Liverpool without a fight. They were clearly distracted by their run in the Champions League but Arteta knows his side need to be able to focus on two big competitions if they want to become a dominant force again.

With a tough final home game against third-placed Newcastle United up, Arsenal may go into the final game needing a win over Southampton to secure second place. If they lose against the Magpies, Arsenal may find themselves needing a positive result at St Mary’s just to finish in the top four if Man City and Chelsea both win their penultimate games.

As for Southampton, it’s been a season to forget back in the top flight following their promotion. They’ve won just two games – losing 28 – and have collected just 12 points so far. Their relegation back to the Championship was confirmed long ago but they’ll still hope to give their supporters a good send off in the final game of the season.

How to watch

The game won’t be televised on live TV so the only way for fans to [legally] watch the action live is to have Southampton vs Arsenal tickets for the match at St Mary’s Stadium on May 25th.

Team news

Arsenal continue to deal with a number of injury concerns during the final weeks of the season. Gabriel Jesus will be on the sidelines until well into the 2025/26 campaign after undergoing surgery on a serious knee injury that he sustained in January.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is another long-term absentee for Arsenal as the defender will be out until later this year following knee surgery. Tomiyasu has struggled to stay fit all season and the decision was finally made in February to operate.

Gabriel Magalhaes won’t feature again this season after tearing his hamstring in early April. The Brazilian international hopes to be back for the start of pre-season ahead of next season.

However, there is some positive news. Kai Havertz is back in full training after making a swift recovery from a hamstring tear that he sustained during the warm weather training camp in Dubai back in February. Havertz will hope to play some part against Newcastle and be in contention to start against Southampton on the final day.

Declan Rice missed the draw at Liverpool due to a hamstring concern but he’s been training this week so should hopefully be available for the trip to Southampton. Leandro Trossard picked up a tight thigh muscle at Anfield but it’s not thought to be serious.

Mikel Merino will return for the final day against Southampton as he’ll be suspended versus Newcastle United after being sent off against Liverpool for two yellow cards.

As for Southampton, they have a fully fit squad to choose from so they have no injury concerns ahead of the final match of the campaign.

Possible XI

Arteta will want to ensure Arsenal finish second in the table so I don’t see him making too many changes against Southampton. David Raya is expected to keep goal once again while Ben White could get a run out at right-back as it’s been a long season for Jurrien Timber.

William Saliba will start once again for Arsenal with Jakub Kiwior continuing to deputise for Gabriel. Riccardo Calafiori could be handed a recall to start in place of Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back if Arteta wants to give the youngster a rest.

Thomas Partey should keep his place in midfield in what could be his last game for the club if he doesn’t sign a new contract. Declan Rice may also start if his hamstring problem is resolved while Martin Odegaard is likely to captain Arsenal for the last time this season.

Bukayo Saka is expected to start on the right flank and he’ll be looking to end a frustrating campaign on a positive note. Gabriel Martinelli has rediscovered some form lately and the Brazilian should get the nod on the left wing.

If Havertz comes through the Southampton game unscathed he might be in Arteta’s thoughts to start. However, it might be a risk not worth taking so late in the season so Mikel Merino may lead the line up front at St Mary’s.

Possible Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino

Prediction

Arsenal have endured a tough season and will end the campaign without a trophy, much to the disappointment of fans with Arsenal tickets. Injuries have hampered their progress this season but the Gunners showed they are still one of the best sides in Europe with their run to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Arteta will want to end the campaign on a positive note and they should be confident of picking up all three points against a Southampton side who sit bottom of the table with just 12 points.

The Saints have lost 28 of their 36 games so far – winning just 2 – so it’s hard to see past an Arsenal victory on the final day. Even if they have very little left to play for, we still predict a comfortable Arsenal win. Southampton 0-2 Arsenal