Odegaard’s Late Heroics Secure Victory Over Southampton, Propelling Arsenal to Second Place

Arsenal clinched second place in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium, extending their remarkable run of wins in final-day league fixtures to 14.

As new Saints manager Will Still observed from the stands, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale thwarted his former team by preventing an early goal, making a fine save from Gabriel Martinelli’s header within the opening two minutes.

Mikel Merino nearly broke the deadlock midway through the first half, striking the crossbar with a header after Martinelli set him up. Ramsdale was called into action again to parry a long-range effort from Thomas Partey, and he made a stunning save to keep out Martinelli in a one-on-one situation.

The Gunners finally found the net just before halftime, and it was none other than Kieran Tierney, who tapped in Ben White’s cross in what marked his final appearance for Arsenal. Southampton, similar to much of their season, struggled to assert themselves, although Kamaldeen Sulemana did pose a threat on the counterattack.

Ethan Nwaneri tested Ramsdale shortly after the break, and Jay Robinson forced David Raya into his first save with a powerful near-post shot.

With a chance to secure the Golden Glove for the second consecutive season, Raya would have felt disappointed when Southampton equalised from a resulting corner. Ross Stewart, rising highest, directed his header into the top corner for his first league goal of the season, joining fellow Scot Tierney on the scoresheet.

Arsenal pushed hardest for a winner as the game advanced, with Bukayo Saka finding the net, only to be flagged offside.

However, they eventually found the breakthrough just before stoppage time, with Martin Odegaard firing a stunning shot into the bottom corner from distance.

The already-relegated Southampton endured a record-breaking 30th defeat this Premier League season, while the Gunners celebrated their 24th victory on the final day of a top-flight season, the highest of any team on such occasions.

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