One To Watch: Aron Gunnarsson

The new season is almost upon us and despite a football fix this summer with the European Championships in France, it seems like a lifetime ago that we watched our beloved sport. This season brings hope, as does every season, that we climb up to the highest point of the Championship in order to gain Premier League status. This task starts with a fixture against Cardiff City.

A new season also brings the one to watch fixture back from the dead. Here, we seek the oppositions most valuable player in a vain attempt to try and let Gary know who to focus on come matchday. This week, I have chosen the very capable Aron Gunnarsson as the man for our men to watch when the blue boys take on the blue birds in the first game of the 2016/17 league campaign.

The big Icelandic midfielder shot to fame this summer with his national side as they defeated England in one of the greatest achievements of a minnow in the competition. He was their captain and their leader. This new found confidence will seep into his performances for Cardiff, in my opinion. However, he may be tired considering he used to having the full summer to prepare for club football. Despite this, he will be raring to go as will all 22 players on the pitch.

Other than his attributes as leader, I also think he does the simple things well. He knits the banks of defenders and attackers perfectly, allowing crisp passing throughout the entire team. Aron Gunnarsson likes to keep the ball moving with simple one touch passes and the very rarely does he dribble. Therefore, I would like to see one of our midfielders getting tight to him so he has to play with his head down meaning he will be unable to pick a pass out. If we are able to thwart him, then we are able to win the midfield duel.

It was a close call this week between the work horse that is Aron Gunnarsson with his strength and power that we need to be wary of, and Jazz Richards; a new signing. The fullback has impressed me for most of his career with his athleticism and the pure eagerness to wear his heart on his sleeve. Due to this, I think our wingers will have to help out the full backs considerably in order to really put a stop to any potential threats out wide.

Overall, Cardiff are a team of average individuals who pull together to be a good team. Therefore, we need to stop the man who stitches the team together and that for me is, Aron Gunnarsson.