Nigerian midfielder Joe Aribo has rediscovered his goal-scoring prowess as he helped Southampton secure a convincing 4-2 victory over Reading in their first preseason game at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Aribo, who came on as a substitute, combined brilliantly with fellow compatriot Samuel Edozie to find the back of the net with just over ten minutes remaining in the match.
This crucial goal extended Southampton’s lead to 4-2, sealing their triumph over the League One outfit.
Before Aribo’s heroics, Southampton had already established a commanding lead with goals from Jan Bednark, James Ward-Prowse, and Adam Armstrong.
Harvey Knibbs managed to pull one back for Reading in the 80th minute, but it proved too little, too late for the Royals.
Under the guidance of their new boss Russell Martin, Southampton displayed great attacking mentality throughout the game, building promising momentum ahead of the upcoming 2023/2024 English Championship season.
The team’s starting lineup featured key players like James Ward-Prowse, Kyle Walker-Peters, Tino Livramento, and Nathan Tella, emphasizing their determination to bounce back to the Premier League.
For Joe Aribo, the preseason game was an opportunity to display his resurgence after enduring a challenging 2022/2023 season in the English top flight with Southampton.
Throughout the last season, Aribo struggled to find his scoring form, netting only twice in over 20 appearances for the Saints.
However, with the new season on the horizon, the Super Eagles star has evidently returned to peak performance, reigniting hope among Southampton fans.
Aribo’s goal against Reading exemplified his ability to make a significant impact and contribute to his team’s success.
As Southampton prepares for their next preseason friendly against Premier League side AFC Bournemouth at St Mary’s on Tuesday evening, all eyes will be on Joe Aribo to see if he can continue his goal-scoring spree.
A thing of beauty ????
Our first outing in the new home kit ❤️???? pic.twitter.com/XIPt3brQvI
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 22, 2023
The club’s supporters will undoubtedly be thrilled to witness their talismanic midfielder back in the firing squad and playing a pivotal role in the team’s campaign for promotion back to the top-flight.
Amid speculation about his potential departure, it appears that Southampton has managed to retain Joe Aribo’s services for the upcoming season.
The Nigerian midfielder had been linked with a move back to Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers, but so far, no concrete offers have materialized.
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