WATCHING on at St Mary’s, Arsenal’s transfer committee have been given one final reminder of the magnitude of this summer.
Serving a touchline ban, boss sat in the stands alongside co-owner Josh Kroenke, managing director Richard Garlick and sporting director Andrea Berta.
There were a few smiles, for scoring a 43rd-minute opener on his 144th and final club appearance and smashing home an 89th-minute winner.
But for the most part, their faces were stern and serious, most notably when headed in a 56th minute equaliser to deny a solo Golden Glove-winning 14th clean sheet.
However, the Spaniard still earned a consecutive Golden Glove trophy – sharing the honour with ‘s who also failed to keep the ball out of his net today.
This final-day trip to Southampton could, and arguably should, have been the day the Gunners lifted their first Prem title since 2004.
Instead, it was a meaningless clash to confirm a third successive second-place finish that was a stark reminder of what a disappointing campaign this has been for Arteta’s men.
Other than setting a 101-year record, by winning a 14th consecutive final-day match and surpassing ‘s Edwardian time record, it was an uneventful day.
Instead the match was an example of what needs to change next term ahead of a potentially tenure-defining summer window for Arteta and the board.
Incomings are essential, as are outgoings. Tierney will be one of them, expected to return to in a few weeks to end his six-year North London stint.
The Scot – filling in at centre back in a much-changed XI – was hailed throughout the match by the away end. A day he will never forget at the already-relegated Saints.
The less said about the actual game the better as the Gunners cruised for large parts with the likes of , Odegaard, and left on the bench.
But Tierney’s stunned, grinning reaction at finding himself in the box to tap home was worth every penny, as was Odegaard’s stunning long-range belter.
This clash reinforced Arsenal’s need for attacking reinforcements with Mikel Merino starting up top and loanee starting on the right on what was also his final game in an Arsenal shirt.
New Saints boss Will Still was also in the stands, getting a first glance over his new squad with a gruelling campaign on the horizon.
For this one, four changes were made, including 18-year-old Jay Robinson on his first senior start.
Ex-Arsenal No.1 Aaron Ramsdale was kept busy early on as Merino and went close with headers and Sterling curled one just wide.
The hosts were being encouraged to let the shackles off and attack, and they were unlucky not to get a penalty when VAR waved away a Yuki Sugawara shot striking Declan Rice’s arm in the box.
But the visitors remained patient.
Merino was dangerous in the air, smacking the crossbar from a Martinelli cross, and the Brazilian winger fluffed a chance of his own, denied in a 1-v-1 by old pal Ramsdale.
The opening was coming and Tierney provided it, held aloft by his teammates in a heart-warming celebration after tucking away Ben White’s low cross.
Even Arteta and Kroenke afforded themselves a smile that was quickly wiped off as the Saints hit back from a simple set-piece delivery in the 56th minute.
Robinson forced Raya into a decent save from the resulting corner, Stewart rose highest at the far post.
On came the Arsenal cavalry. By the 75th minute, Saka, Trossard, Havertz, Odegaard and were all on the pitch.
There was almost an instant impact as Saka bundled in only for VAR to confirm a correct offside shout.
In the end, it was a sublime bit of quality from Odegaard that settled the contest, and it is quality personnel that Arteta and his transfer committee will be scouring the market for to ensure this sort of tame end to a season will not be repeated in 12 months time.
