Southampton’s Joe Aribo Urges Team to Perform Against Chelsea

Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo has urged his teammates to “step up and show how good the squad is” as they prepare to host Chelsea on Wednesday at 19:30 GMT. The Nigeria international, Aribo, has participated in all but one of the Saints’ Premier League matches this season, yet he recognizes the difficulty of facing the team currently ranked third in the league standings. Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Aribo commented, “It’s going to be difficult. The manager will have a gameplan and we need to carry that out and leave it out there on the pitch.” He continued, “They’re very good. I watched them the other day against Aston Villa – it was a top performance. I like what they’re doing and how far they’ve come.” Aribo also praised Chelsea’s manager, stating, “[Enzo Maresca] is a top manager. What he’s doing just showcases how good he is and what he can do in the game.” Manager Russell Martin of Southampton discussed the team’s absence of their “five most consistent players,” and Aribo expressed his conviction that the entire squad needs to unite and demonstrate their value. “It’s important for everyone to step up and show how good the squad is,” Aribo emphasized. He further added, “It shows how big it is to stay ready because you never know when you’re going to be called upon.”