The winger has been on the receiving end of some rather harsh criticism from Nottingham Forest supporters and Gboly Ariyibi’s signing could prove decisive.
Even a quartet of intriguing deadline day transfers are unlikely to sate the fury of Nottingham Forest fans. And, in truth, the jury is still out on Ross McCormack, Zack Clough, Joao Teixeira and Gboly Ariyibi.
Yet, while former Leeds United and Fulham goal machine McCormack arrives amid a great deal of hope, if not expectation following a dismal spell at Aston Villa on and off the pitch, flying Chesterfield winger Ariyibi, who has signed a three-and-a-half year deal according to the Nottingham Post, could raise the volume at the City Ground for all the right reasons.
The 22-year-old, who made his English football debut against Forest for Leeds in 2013, may be the epitome of a young winger, erratic, inconsistent and sometimes infuriating, but he possesses the raw attributes to evolve into one of the most dynamic attackers in the division.
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In a Forest team filled with youthful potential, Ariyibi should not look out of place. Ironically, however, he could end up taking the place of a player with similar origins.
Mustapha Carayol, like Ariyibi, worked his way up the English football ladder, his pace, trickery and standout performances for Bristol Rovers catching the eye of promotion chasing Middlesbrough.
However, his career has stalled badly in the last four years, even spells at Brighton, Huddersfield and Leeds failing to provide any form of resuscitation. And, in over six months at the City Ground, the fact he has earned just eight starts speaks volumes about his performance level.
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Booed by some sections of the Forest support, Ariyibi’s arrival could be add another nail in Carayol’s coffin.
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