Southampton 1-2 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners win late on the final day

Arsenal secured a 2-1 win away to Southampton with a late winner to bring an end to their 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

With Champions League qualification obtained and a third consecutive second-place finish all but secured, Mikel Arteta could afford to change his side around on the final day trip to St Mary's. Kieran Tierney, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri were among the names to come into the starting XI, while Declan Rice was named captain for the first time since joining the Gunners.

Arsenal controlled the early stages and caused a few problems for the hosts, with both Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino having headed chances kept out. Saints had shouts for a penalty waved away 20 minutes in following a VAR check on a potential handball by Rice. Merino went close again soon after with a header that grazed the top of the crossbar.

As his side continued to dominate, Thomas Partey attempted to trouble former Gunners 'keeper Aaron Ramsdale with an effort from long range, but his ex-teammate got down well to smother. On the half-hour mark, Ross Stewart had a good chance to put the hosts ahead when he got on the end of a cross, but he mistimed his header and sent it wide.

Martinelli found himself with the best chance of the game five minutes before half-time when Tierney found him with a ball over the top. The Brazilian set himself before shooting, but his effort was kept out by Ramsdale. Zinchenko then saw a long-range strike deflect past the post with the resulting corner ending in his side's breakthrough.

Ben White was played in down the right side and placed a low cross into the box, which Tierney ran onto and fired into the net to mark his final appearance for the club with a goal. Following a dominant, but relatively unenthusiastic half, Arsenal went into the break with the lead.

Saints showed no signs of settling with defeat and came out for the second half with a rampant attitude. That soon paid off as they levelled matters when Ross Stewart rose well to head in an equaliser from a corner.

The Gunners almost had the perfect response with White bursting down the right side once again to square for Martinelli, who was denied by a goal-line clearance by Yukinari Sugawara. As the clock ticked over the hour mark, Zinchenko had two efforts blocked well by the Saints defenders.

With 15 minutes to go and substitutes on the pitch, Bukayo Saka had the ball in the net for Arsenal from close range, but the linesman raised his flag after the star winger had strayed offside. Their winning moment did come however, when captain Martin Odegaard picked up the ball and skipped around the Saints defence before firing a brilliant effort in from the edge of the box.

Arsenal were made to work for the win against a strong Saints side that were determined to take something from their final game in the Premier League. A late winner ensured the Gunners finished the season in second place.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from Arsenal's 2-1 win at Southampton.

Southampton 1-2 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 6.5/10 - Made one save early in the second half, but wasn't troubled too much and his only real involvement came from playing out from the back. Won a second consecutive Golden Glove award despite not keeping a clean sheet.

Ben White (RB) - 7/10 - Made frequent runs into advanced positions and it paid off when he assisted the opener. Got in well down the right side before playing a brilliant cross into the box for Tierney to meet and score.

Jakub Kiwior (CB) - 6.5/10 - Untroubled by Saints' lack of attacking threat and had a relatively comfortable afternoon.

Kieran Tierney (CB) - 7.5/10 - Didn't suffer too many problems in defence so had to make an impact in attack. Grabbed the opener with a good run to connect with White's cross and finish at the near post. Likely his final game for Arsenal with it coming to an end just after the hour mark.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - 6.5/10 - Played his usual inverted role and was often found in the midfield. Looked to have an impact down the left flank with some crosses but didn't trouble too much. Saw a thunderous effort from range blocked and go wide of the post. Brought off with 20 minutes to play.

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