**Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney scored to help a reshuffled Arsenal side edge past already relegated Southampton and end a trying 2024/25 season on a positive note, but questions persist about Mikel Arteta's "project."**
So that's that. Arsenal's 2024/25 season is in the books. No more contentious red cards. No more updating an injury list lengthy enough to rival en encyclopadeia. Only recriminations from yet another campaign ending without silverware.
The trophy drought won't end without investment and more progressive tactics in attacking areas, even after the Gunners [scored twice at St. Mary's Stadium](https://paininthearsenal.com/southampton-1-2-arsenal-player-ratings-25-5-25). Three points weren't secured until the penultimate minute when Odegaard capped his late-season revival in style.
Arsenal needed a moment of inspiration from Odegaard because Arteta's reshuffled defence had been punctured once again from a set-piece. Ross Stewart headed in a corner in the 56th minute to cancel out Tierney's opener two minutes before half-time.
The goal was a fitting send-off for Tierney, a hero of the memorable 2020 FA Cup triumph. Despite the Scotsman's talent, Arteta has spent most days since lifting that trophy stocking up on different versions of left-back, but he would've been better served adding some more firepower.
That will now become the focus of the summer, but Arteta can find his own internal solution to the striker problem by committing to playing Gabriel Martinelli through the middle more often.
Positives & negatives from Arsenal's 2-1 win at Southampton
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### Positive #1: More minutes through the middle for Martinelli
Martinelli got another chance as a striker. | David Ramos/GettyImages
Arteta being increasingly willing to [play Martinelli centrally](https://paininthearsenal.com/positives-negatives-from-arsenal-2-2-draw-at-liverpool) is good news for Arsenal. It puts the best natural finisher in the squad closer to goal, while Martinell's pace is able to add variety to how the Gunners attack defences.
Granted, the latter benefit is still a work in progress, based on how disjointed the visitors looked in Southampton. They didn't always know when and how to exploit Martinelli's ability to run in behind.
It can happen with the right ball over the top, just as easily as via a through-pass slid between defenders from close range. Arsenal used to be automatic with both of these things in the days when Arsene Wenger loaded the forward line with pace and angled movement.
Things have been more functional under Arteta, helping form a more rigid team shape and greater defensive solidity. The problem is those things have led to the Gunners becoming predictable up top.
Giving Martinelli minutes at striker adds some nuance and could save the Brazilian's career at Arsenal. Yet, Martinelli being repackaged as a frontman won't eliminate the Gunners' need for a new and marquee goalscorer.
_Continued on the next slide..._