Ex-Nigerian star Ahmed Garba faults Joe Aribo decision to stay at Southampton

Former Nigerian international Ahmed Garba believes Nigeria international Joe Aribo should have made a bold decision just like Paul Onuachu to leave Southampton in the just-concluded transfer window.

While Aribo opted to stay at St Mary’s Stadium, despite the team getting relegated to the EFL Championship, Onuachu left to sign for Turkish club Trabzonspor this summer. Despite his superb form with Southampton, Aribo is yet to start for the club in the lower league.

“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 as quoted by Footy-Africa.

‘He is a good and creative player’

“It is not good for a footballer to be on the sidelines, even though I understand why it happened. But it is also important that he starts playing again, as staying out for a long time is not good for him. Look at Onuachu, who left them and is now settled playing football in Turkey, but Aribo has not even played one game this season from what I gathered.

“He is a good and creative player who will do well for Southampton if they give him the chance. I know he will have to work extra hard to get into the team, but I believe in his ability.”

In the Premier League, he had made 32 appearances and scored three goals.

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