Arsenal take on Southampton in their final game of the 2024/25 season at St. Mary’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners need a point to ensure they secure second place in the Premier League, with a defeat and a Manchester City victory over Fulham the only scenario where Mikel Arteta’s team could lose their runners-up status.
Meanwhile, Southampton have been relegated for over a month now and will merely be looking to salvage some pride from what has been a miserable campaign when they take on the North Londoners.
Arsenal will be without William Saliba for the clash after the Frenchman was ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Jurrien Timber will also be unavailable after undergoing ankle surgery.
Southampton want Will Still in charge before Arsenal game
Southampton have narrowly avoided being the worst team in Premier League history, with their draw at home to Manchester City in their last outing at St. Mary’s pushing them over the 11 points Derby County managed in 2007/08.
The Saints sacked Russell Martin earlier this season and appointed the experienced Ivan Juric to steady the ship, but the Croatian was unable to do so, and was dismissed after the south coast club’s relegation was confirmed in early April.
According to the Guardian, Southampton are looking to appoint former Lens manager Will Still before the Arsenal game on Sunday.
The Championship-bound club have accelerated their talks with the 32-year-old in recent days and hope he will be in charge in time to face the Gunners.
While Still may not have total control over the Saints for the Arsenal encounter, and may well merely be in the stands, he’d likely be somewhat involved in the preparation for the game if the deal materialises quickly enough.
Thus, Arteta could be about to face another new Premier League manager, and the Spaniard will subsequently get an opportunity to scope out the young coach’s preferred tactics.
Still has been described as ‘incredible’ by Eddie Howe (via ChronicleLive), and his reputation means he could well end up in the English top flight once again, meaning Arteta could benefit from an early look at the Belgian-English manager.
Arsenal team news and updates ahead of Southampton clash
Timber has had surgery on his ankle and will be out for some time.
Aside from the Dutchman and Saliba, the Gunners have no fresh injury concerns heading to the south coast on Sunday.
Gabriel Magalhaes is still out with a hamstring problem, while Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain long-term absentees.
Kai Havertz could be in line for his first start since returning from injury, although he’ll be competing for a place up front with Mikel Merino, who will return from suspension.
The likes of Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko could all play their final games for Arsenal.
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