In a thrilling encounter, Kieran Tierney marked his farewell from Arsenal with a decisive goal, securing a 2-1 victory over Southampton. Despite the defeat, Southampton, under the guidance of their new manager Will Still, delivered a commendable performance. The match saw Ross Stewart netting his first goal for the Saints, leveling the score before Arsenal clinched the win. This match also marked a new record for Premier League defeats for the relegated Saints.
Rusk said: “We’re really disappointed that we didn’t manage to get the point because I thought, looking at the context of everything, we deserved it. Thoughts after that? Really pleased for Roscoe to get that goal, really pleased with Jay Robinson and his full debut. We’re close to getting a really good point. In the end, we didn’t but I think there’s lots to like about today. I think credit to the players because as the game went on, I forgot that we were missing so many. There’s probably four or five players who could arguably go into the back line in the starting XI who were unavailable for various reasons. Charlie Taylor was exceptional today and that’s really nice for him because he’s endured a tough year. Credit to the players that they pulled together. We spoke about the importance of, you know, making sure that we stay tight, we stick together, we have a spirit and unity about us. We wanted to finish the season with as much pride and dignity as we can and the guys that stepped in today can look in the mirror tonight and be proud of themselves.”
Rusk added: “We were desperate to give them something to go into the summer break with but couldn’t quite achieve it in the end. The solace in it was that we fought and had our moments against a top side. We can be really optimistic about what’s next as a football club.”
The match was a significant one for Southampton, as it was the debut of their new manager, Will Still, in front of the home fans. Despite the loss, the team’s performance was spirited and showed promise for the future. Ross Stewart’s equalizing goal was a highlight, demonstrating the potential within the squad. The absence of several key players was felt, yet the team managed to hold their ground against a formidable Arsenal side.
Rusk’s comments highlighted the resilience and unity within the team, despite the challenges they faced. The performance of Charlie Taylor was particularly noted, as he delivered an exceptional display after a challenging season. The manager emphasized the importance of finishing the season with pride, and the players’ efforts were commendable in achieving this.
As Southampton looks forward to the next season, there is optimism about the club’s future. The team showed glimpses of what they can achieve, and with the right support and development, they could emerge stronger in the upcoming campaigns.
