Final day: Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are away at Southampton on the last day of the Premier League season
ES Composite
20 minutes ago COMMENTS
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Arsenal have been forced into another defensive reshuffle for their final Premier League game of the season away at Southampton.
Jurrien Timber and William Saliba have both been ruled out of the trip to St Mary’s.
Riccardo Calafiori is set to partner Jakub Kiwior at centre-back and Ben White is expected to stay at right-back.
“Jurrien had a surgery on Tuesday morning on his ankle,” said manager Mikel Arteta on Thursday. “He’s been feeling that discomfort for many, many weeks.
Riccardo Calafiori is in line for a start against Southampton
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
“He’s been navigating through the season with that issue, and it needed to be resolved, so he’s going to be out for a while.
“And Saliba had something in his hamstring in the first half [against Newcastle], just before half-time, and again, he’s going to be out for a few weeks.”
Arsenal will welcome back Mikel Merino after he served a one-match suspension against Newcastle.
The Spaniard could come into the team in place of Declan Rice, who has been struggling with a hamstring issue of late.
Read More
Why is Southampton vs Arsenal not on TV in the UK today?
Arteta reveals imminent Arsenal meeting in bid to end trophy drought
Renee Slegers' key decision seals famous Arsenal Champions League win
SponsoredDiscover sustainable luxury at this breathtaking rainforest retreat
Kai Havertz will be pushing to start after making his comeback last weekend following hamstring surgery in February.
The match at St Mary’s is set to be Jorginho and Kieran Tierney’s final appearances for Arsenal. The pair will both likely feature - but it is unclear if they will get the nod to start.
Arsenal remain without long-term absentees Gabriel (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee).
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Kiwior, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Merino; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Injured: Gabriel (hamstring), Jesus (knee), Saliba (hamstring), Timber (ankle), Tomiyasu (knee)
Time and date: 4pm BST on Sunday May 25, 2025
Venue: St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
Referee: Darren Bond
MORE ABOUT
arsenal team news
William Saliba
Jurrien Timber
Have your say...VIEW COMMENTS