Southampton’s head coach, Martin Russell, has lauded the positive attitude and contribution of Nigerian midfielder Joe Ayodele-Aribo, despite his limited playing time this season.
Joe Aribo, a former Rangers player, has featured in 31 out of Southampton’s 42 league games this season, starting in only thirteen of those matches. Despite his reduced minutes on the pitch, the 27-year-old has managed to score three goals and provide an assist for The Saints.
Russell Martin, the Brighton-born manager, emphasized Ayodele-Aribo’s importance to the squad, despite his restricted playing opportunities. Martin attributed the midfielder’s reduced game time to his involvement with the Nigerian national team at the AFCON 2023 tournament held in Ivory Coast.
“Joe has been excellent. He hasn’t played a huge amount of minutes since he came back from the AFCON, but he has been excellent,” stated Martin in an interview with the club’s official website following Southampton’s 3-0 victory over Preston North End.
The 38-year-old manager acknowledged the challenges Joe Aribo faced upon his return from the AFCON tournament, highlighting the need for the midfielder to readjust and regain match fitness after a period of inactivity. Despite this, Martin affirmed Ayodele-Aribo’s talent and described him as a “top player.”
Southampton currently occupies the 4th position on the EFL Championship table, trailing Leicester City by four points in the race for direct qualification. With only three games remaining in the season, Ayodele-Aribo’s contribution will be crucial as Southampton aims to secure a coveted spot in the top tier of English football.
