Aron Gunnarsson has found his feet under Neil Warnock but just how important could he be for Cardiff City this season?
Cardiff City’s Aron Gunnarsson in action with Bristol City’s Korey Smith
Neil Warnock’s arrival has brought out the best in a number of Cardiff City players but none more than Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson has delivered three excellent performances with Cardiff taking seven points from a possible nine and his most recent, earned him a Sky Sports Man of the Match award in the win over Nottingham Fprest.
The 27-year-old has struggled to nail down a spot in Russell Slade or Paul Trollope’s teams but given the opportunity under the new boss, he’s thriving.
France’s Moussa Sissoko in action with Iceland’s Aron Gunnarsson
Every Cardiff City supporter knows the ability Gunnarsson has but paired with other crucial players like Peter Whittingham, it’s gone very wrong in the past.
The Iceland captain was pivotal during Cardiff’s promotion season in 2012/13 and he even managed to net eight times during that successful campaign.
Gunnarsson has managed to keep the impressive Stuart O’Keefe out of the team
Then manager Malky Mackay got the best out of him by utilising his defensive talents while giving him a licence to drive through midfield when on the ball and it seems Warnock is seeing what benefits that can have as well.
With more technically gifted players like Joe Ralls and Peter Whittingham on the pitch, Cardiff need a midfield enforcer and there are few who do that role better than Gunnarsson, as the world saw during Euro 2016.
The long-serving midfielder will play a huge part under Neil Warnock and if he can continue his present form, very few will come close to replacing him in the starting line-up.
Luke Murphy of Leeds United (R) and Aron Gunnarsson of Cardiff City in action
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