Makeshift Southampton defender assures unity among the squad amid hardships | OneFootball

Southampton Captain Jack Stephens has faced an injury once again. Notably, in this hardship, teammate Joe Aribo has come forward, backing both Stephens and the overall Saints unit.

Do you know what’s an unsung superpower of a true team player? It's going all in for the crew, no questions asked. And that too when situations demand.

Recently, in the win against Ipswich, midfield star Joe Aribo played one such role for Southampton.

Now, many of you might remember Aribo's case. Days ago, the 28-year-old had expressed a desire for an exit at the end of the season. Still, when the Saints needed it the most, he showed up brilliantly.

No doubt, Aribo was excellent overall, but the way he smoothly shifted to the backline after Jack Stephens' injury, stood out.

Sadly, in an unexpected turn of events, Saints Captain Stephens was forced minutes after his injury return. However, Aribo compensated for the defender perfectly, dropping deep to the backline.

But if this won you over, buckle up—Aribo's next move will make you a full-fledged fan of him.

Makeshift Southampton defender assures unity among the squad amid hardships

As quoted by the Daily Echo, Aribo recently backed his Captain, saying: "He's had a stop-start season, which has been frustrating also. It's about us getting around him and him continuing to fight to come back ready."

Certainly, the current season has been a nightmare for Jack Stephens. If a devastating start wasn't enough cruel for him, now consecutive injuries have gotten the better of him.

For Southampton, it's a huge setback, given the defender had shown recovery improvement lately. Naturally, Aribo looked upset about the situation, saying: “It's really frustrating because you see him working day in and day out."

Still, we’ve got to admit—it’s these hurdles that turn good players into legends. So far Jack Stephens has done enough to be a hero, but can he stride the path to becoming a club legend upon his return?