At the AFCON 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast, Aribo played only 19 minutes despite being in good health throughout the tournament.
Southampton manager Russell Martin has reiterated the importance of Super Eagles midfielder Joe-Ayodele Aribo to the team despite struggling to find playing time.< strong>Soccernet.ng reported.
27-year-old Aribo has been on the bench in 15 of 22 games in the EFL Championship this season and has struggled to make a positive impression with both club and country.
His performance in the AFCON 2023 tournament was similar, as he struggled to break into the first team and could barely make an impact even when he came on as a substitute.
However, Aribo, who returned from Ivory Coast, was keen to change his fortunes at the club and wore the captain’s armband from the bench.
The former Rangers midfielder performed as a true leader on the pitch, scoring a goal for his team in a league game against Hull City and was praised by his manager.
“He was great. We missed him a lot. He showed it when he played the other game and I think he’s ready to play. “He’s a big player for us and you can see why, so when Adam was sent off in the second half he was wearing the armband,” Russell Martin said. strong>Daily EchoHe said this in a quote released by the newspaper. p>
Arribo’s goal against Hull City was his second of the season and the London-born midfielder has been promised more playing time by his coach. Back in form, he joined the Saints and the familiar Mary’s Stadium was back.
Southampton currently sit in fourth place in the EFL Championship standings, 11 points behind Kelci Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi’s Leicester City.
