Southampton Vs Arsenal Prediction: The Gunners Want To Make Sure Runner-up In The Final Match

Mikel Meriono returns to be a Starter at Arsenal (photo: x @arsenal)

JAKARTA - In the 38th Premier League match of the 2024-2025 season which will take place on Sunday, May 25, Southampton will host Arsenal at the St Mary's Stadium. This match is a duel between the second-ranked teams that have secured runner-up positions, Arsenal, against Southampton, which has been confirmed to be relegated to the Championship.

Arsenal, who were raised by Mikel Arteta, came on positive capital after confirming tickets to next season's Champions League. Arteta was urged to give Declan Rice a break for a hamstring injury, but the manager chose to keep playing the England midfielder.

The decision proved to be right when Rice scored an important goal while securing a 1-0 win over Newcastle United, stopping Arsenal's winless trend in their last five games. Arsenal need just one more point to strengthen their second position, which is almost certain thanks to a goal difference advantage over Manchester City. Arsenal is also best known as a strong team in the season-ending game, with a record unbeaten match week 38 over the past two decades.

Meanwhile, Southampton went through a very tough season and have already collected 29 defeats, almost equaling the record for the most defeats in a Premier League season Derby County had ever made in 2007-08. Despite being confirmed to be down caste, Southampton wanted to avoid a 30th loss so as not to set a new bad record.

Interim coach Simon Rusk will lead his final game before being replaced by a new manager who is reportedly Will Still of Lens. Southampton were only able to win eight over Arsenal in the Premier League, and all these wins were won while playing at home, including the last win in April 2022.

The injury problem still haunts the two teams ahead of this match. Arsenal certainly lost William Saliba who suffered a hamstring injury during the match against Newcastle. In addition, Jurrien Timber is recovering after ankle surgery, while Gabriel Jesus (ACL injury), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring), and Takehiro Tomiyasu (lutut) are also absent.

The good news is that Mikel Merino has returned from a ban on playing and can be an option in midfield, while Kai Havertz, who has just recovered from a hamstring injury, has emerged as a substitute in the last win.

In Southampton, Taylor Harwood-Bellis is confirmed to be absent due to an ankle injury, while Jan Bednarek is doubtful of appearing due to a knee injury. Kyle Walker-Peters is also not certain to play due to illness, and Albert Gronbaek has certainly not played again this season due to an Achilles injury. Coach Simon Rusk gave Joachim Kayi Sanda's debut chance last week, but it is estimated that the back line will still be entrusted to Yukinari Sugawara from the first minute.

This match is predicted to be fierce, but Arsenal, who have high motivation to close the season with wins and have proven strong in the closing game of the season, are seeded for three points. Southampton will certainly try their best to avoid the record of the most defeats and put up a fight in front of their own supporters.

Forecast :

Southampton (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Sugawara, Stephens, Wood, Bree; Smallbone, Downes, Weington; Dibling, Fernandes, Sulemana.

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Calafiori, Kiwior, Tierney; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli.