“It’s processes”- Southampton star Joe Aribo reacts to being axed from the first team

Apart from playing for Southampton’s U-23 side, the Nigerian forward has only appeared twice for the club in 2023

Super Eagles midfielder, Joseph Oluwaseyi Aribo, seems unconcerned with being dropped from Southampton’s starting lineup.

The neglected Nigerian star wants to get back into the manager’s first-team plans and has indicated that he believes in the process.

Since joining Saints from Glasgow Rangers last summer in a deal estimated to be worth £10 million, the former Ranger’s player has made 26 appearances and scored only two goals.

Aribo was a starter in the team at the beginning of the season but fell out of favor when Ralph Hasenhuttl was sacked at the beginning of November.

He has only played in two league games since the beginning of January and has not yet appeared in a league match under new manager Ruben Selles.

Nigerian international Aribo claims he has optimism he can eventually make his way back into the first team setup despite his exclusion from the first team.

“It is the coach’s decision,”

“I think every single coach has his own opinion on things. For me, I’m not really too fazed because it’s [about] processes. It’s [like] growing pains. I just need to be patient and just wait on God’s timing which is perfect.” he revealed to Elegbete TV Sport.

The Super Eagles attacker performed well during Nigeria’s second-leg match against Guinea Bissau. He pounced on Simon Moses’s pass and almost extended José Peseiro’s advantage, but his attempt was unsuccessful.

The 26-year-old will be trying to fall back to the Saints first squad as he scratches for a first team performance in the year 2023 when the Hampshire-based club travels to the London Stadium to play West Ham United.