If Naby Sarr is Charlton's muscle, and Lyle Taylor the touch of finesse, then Joe Aribo is the sinew that unites them all together.
The 21-year did not have his best performance in a Charlton shirt on Friday night, but his importance was obvious.
Lee Bowyer’s team is effectively tuned to his strengths.
Playing two strikers who split wide, and three anchoring midfielders Aribo is allowed to roam.
Taking up any position he deems fit, the youngster alternates between going down the middle, on the flank or sitting deep.
At The Valley against a well drilled Doncaster side, Aribo showcased his array of skills in each position he filled.
Early into the first half he did something that amalgamated them all into one move. After a heavy touch, the ball looked to be going out for a throw-in before Aribo eagerly rectified his mistake.
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Player ratings from Charlton's play-off win
Bursting through two Doncaster players, he caught the ball with the end of his boot and shielded off the Donny players with ease before a Cruyff-turn set him free.
He topped things off by dinking the ball over to the overlapping Purrington.
It was a move that forced an applause from the crowd, but also one that fans who come week-in week-out have become so accustomed to seeing this season.
Aribo then went missing for the rest of the first half, but in the second he produced another moment of brilliance.
His back to goal this time, on the edge of the box he dropped his shoulder turned and curled a De-Bruyne-esque ball in to Lyle Taylor at the back post. The striker was in for a tap-in if it wasn’t for Danny Andrew’s outstretched foot.
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The performance was etch Joe Aribo.
Miss-placed passes, dragged shots and poor tackles followed, but it did not matter.
Aribo did not have to do anything else brilliant.
Charlton are now in the play-off final thanks to Aribo’s goal in the first-leg.
It is hard to think where the Addick’s would be without their academy which continues to churn out talent year after year.
Promoted or not, Charlton will need to fight hard to keep hold of Aribo during the summer as tonight’s half-cut performance would have only increased the speculation that already surrounds him.
I’ve been convinced, bring Joe Aribo to the carpet @Arsenal
— Matt (@MattRiverss) May 17, 2019
Big move incoming for Joe Aribo, proper player.
— Pennywise 🤡 (@IngeniousUncle) May 17, 2019
Think we’d benefit from buying someone like this Joe Aribo from Charlton, looks a player #nffc
— TalkForest (@TalkForest1) May 17, 2019
If I could sign any player from league one for donny it would definitely be Joe Aribo, he’s incredible. Really impressed me in the first leg as well.
— callum (@callumrjdrfc) May 17, 2019
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