Mikel Arteta Makes Changes for Final Premier League Match

London, England – For the final Premier League match of the 2024/25 season, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has announced five changes to his lineup as the team faces Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium on May 25, 2025.

One of the substitutions comes due to an injury to defender William Saliba, who suffered a hamstring injury in a recent match against Newcastle United. Ben White is set to take Saliba’s place in defense. Kieran Tierney will also step into the backline, while Thomas Partey is expected to start at right-back.

Midfielder Mikel Merino returns from suspension to bolster Arsenal’s midfield alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko, pushing Martin Odegaard to the substitute bench. In the absence of the regular captain, Declan Rice will lead the team.

Raheem Sterling, who is finishing his loan spell, is included in the starting eleven, as is the season’s breakout star, Ethan Nwaneri, with Gabriel Martinelli leading the forward line. David Raya takes position in goal with hopes of securing a second consecutive Premier League Golden Glove award.

On the bench, Arsenal features notable names including Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Kai Havertz, all ready to make an impact if needed.

Southampton, already relegated from the Premier League, has also made five adjustments to their struggling team following a 2-0 defeat against Everton. Caretaker coach Simon Rusk will miss Taylor Harwood-Bellis due to injury and has brought in Charlie Taylor as his replacement. Yukinari Sugawara is added to the defense, anchored by former Arsenal player Aaron Ramsdale, who captains the squad.

Lesley Ugochukwu takes the midfield position over Joe Aribo, with Jay Robinson and Ross Stewart providing width on the flanks. The full Southampton lineup includes Ramsdale, Sugawara, Wood, Taylor, Welington, Downes, Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Robinson, Stewart, and Sulemana, with substitutes including McCarthy, Bree, Manning, and others.

Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM local time, promising an exciting conclusion to the Premier League season.