Joe Aribo is back in Southampton’s squad after months of uncertainty, and many believe this could be the turning point of his time at St Mary’s – www.naijnaira.com reports.
The Nigerian midfielder had been linked with a summer exit after Southampton dropped to the EFL Championship, but the move never materialized, according to Soccernet.ng.
Former Super Eagles forward Ahmed Garba insists Aribo’s focus should now be on reclaiming his spot and proving his worth in England’s second tier.
Garba admitted he once hoped the former Rangers star would leave after relegation but has now urged him to fight for relevance under manager Will Still.
“Personally, I wanted Aribo to leave the club when they were relegated, but since that did not work, it is important he gets reintegrated into the team and starts playing football again,” Garba said in an interview.
He warned against staying idle, stressing that extended spells on the sidelines damage confidence and rhythm.
Garba drew attention to Paul Onuachu’s example, reminding Aribo how the striker reignited his career in Turkey with 17 goals and four assists at Trabzonspor.
Onuachu’s resurgence continues this season with two goals in five appearances, showing what consistent playing time can do for a player’s confidence.
Aribo, now 29, has not featured this season but still has two years left on his deal with Southampton.
Garba described him as “a good and creative player” who can thrive at the club if given the right chance.
With Southampton targeting an immediate Premier League return, Aribo’s reintegration could prove crucial in the Saints’ promotion chase.
Article updated 2 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
