Southampton boss Russell Martin recently opened up about Joe Aribo’s mixed outing, shedding light on the highs and lows of his performance.

While the Super Eagles midfielder faced challenging moments on the field, Martin highlighted two invaluable qualities that make Aribo indispensable to the team, Footballrover reports.

But what exactly does the Southampton boss see in him that others may miss?

The Saints’ recent clash with Everton at St. Mary’s Stadium was a nail-biting showdown, where Southampton secured a hard-earned 1-0 win.

Despite the intense back-and-forth, both teams struggled to make a breakthrough for much of the game.

Everton’s Jesper Lindstrøm forced an early save from Aaron Ramsdale, while Southampton’s Cameron Archer narrowly missed a chance to break the deadlock, sending his shot wide after an excellent through ball from Flynn Downes.

The tension only escalated, with Everton’s James Tarkowski picking up a yellow card for a heavy tackle on Archer, and Iliman Ndiaye later sending a short-corner attempt over the bar.

With the scoreline still locked, Southampton brought on young talent Tyler Dibling, whose direct play injected fresh energy.

His clever setup allowed Kyle Walker-Peters to send in a cross that Adam Armstrong almost converted.

Late game drama and Joe Aribo’s quiet influence

As the clock ticked down, Everton substitute Beto nearly changed the game with a point-blank strike that rattled the crossbar.

The tide turned, however, when Armstrong finally broke through five minutes from the final whistle, guiding in Yukinari Sugawara’s cutback to secure the lead.

Everton’s last-ditch equaliser by Beto was ultimately disallowed after a VAR review for offside, leaving Southampton victorious but exhausted.

Behind the scenes, it was Joe Aribo’s underappreciated work that kept Southampton’s midfield steady. Aribo’s energy allowed the Saints to maintain control, dictate the pace, and keep Everton on the back foot.

Southampton boss highlights Joe Aribo’s input and brilliance

After the match, Russell Martin singled out Joe Aribo’s performance, emphasising his subtle yet powerful contributions.

Brought on at halftime for Adam Lallana, Aribo added a much-needed balance in Southampton’s midfield, creating the space and opportunities the team needed to stay in command.

In his post-match comments, Martin commended Aribo’s resilience and willingness to take possession even in challenging moments.

“Joe Aribo had some tough moments today, but what he gives us out of possession and his willingness to still take the ball is huge,” the Southampton boss remarked.

This victory not only lifted the team’s morale but also marked an important moment in Southampton’s fight against relegation.

Martin’s praise of Aribo shows the essential role he plays in Southampton’s team, proving that sometimes the most impactful players don’t always make the headlines.

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