Aribo pleased to be off the mark
Summer signing Joe Aribo was delighted to score his first Southampton goal in Saturday’s pre-season finale at home to Villarreal.
The attacker netted a sublime solo effort that transcended the final 2-1 scoreline in favour of the La Liga outfit, with goals from Yéremy Pino and Gerard Moreno enough to secure the victory.
Having opened his account in style, Aribo hopes to continue his scoring form into the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
“I was laughing with the boys inside. I said I didn’t even know where I pulled that chop on the right foot out from, but it was a really good feeling to score at home and hopefully I can take that into games to come and help the boys this season.
“It’s really important [to have scored] and hopefully I can take that momentum into the games to come.”
Now heading into the Premier League opener at Tottenham next weekend, the summer arrival reflected on Saints’ final pre-season outing.
“I think it was a really good test and one that we needed,” he said. “You could see out there that Villarreal are a very good team and are comfortable on the ball, and that’s what’s to come in games to come this season, so it was a really good test for us in pre-season to see where we’re at.
“In large spells of the game we were solid and communicating together. At times we weren’t really the best on the ball, but that’s all going to come.
“Pre-season is where you get the mistakes out and find yourselves. I think the boys stayed solid and were a good unit today.”
