Southampton boss believes he has found right way to use summer signing

The 26-year-old former Rangers star arrived at St Mary’s having played more football than any other player in Europe’s top leagues last season.

Naturally, Aribo had been used in a variety of roles for the Glaswegian outfit but cited right forward as his preferred position when first speaking at Saints this summer.

In the last two, Aribo has been used as an out-right striker – including deputising for Che Adams when he was benched versus Arsenal due to fitness concerns.

Aribo floats anywhere across the front line, favouring left, and is not restricted to one side of the pitch, as his heatmap in the 1-0 loss at Selhurst Park shows. 

Aribo heatmap versus Crystal Palace (Pic: WhoScored) (Image: WhoScored)

“I think we have found a position for him where he can create things. Especially around the box he has some really good moves and I think he created two good chances,” Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo, after the match.

Former Charlton product Aribo has scored twice so far in his debut Premier League season – only Adams has more for Saints – and set up the Scot for what should have been a leveller on Saturday. 

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