Is he Gunnar return? Or will Aron be held back?
While Neil Warnock’s bold selections of Danny Ward and Bobby Reid against Arsenal solved – momentarily at least – Cardiff City’s striker problem, another position remains up for debate right now.
Joe Ralls has performed manfully as the Bluebirds’ holding midfielder in the first four games of the season, yet Cardiff ’s only natural in that position has been on the sidelines so far.
Step forward, a fully fit Aron Gunnarsson.
Spared from Icelandic international duty (for once) in the past week and with all previous injury concerns (hopefully) in the past, could Cardiff’s longest serving player prove to be the missing piece of the Premier League puzzle this season?
There are strong cases for both sides of the argument...
The case for Gunnarsson’s immediate return
THERE is a school of thought that says Gunnarsson has not been 100 per cent fit for a good 12 months, which perhaps excuses his slightly under-par performances.
Because ever since his injury return was rushed last autumn and a start against Barnsley proved too soon, it has been a rocky road for the FENERBAHCE are interested in making former Swansea City boss Carlos Carvalhal their new manager, according to reports.
The Turkish giants have suffered a miserable start to the season having lost three consecutive games, and were recently dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by Benfica.
The pressure has subsequently increased on boss Philip Cocu, despite the Dutchman only being in charge for six weeks.
midfielder – which he has battled through in true Icelandic warrior style.
Ankle surgery swiftly followed that night at Oakwell and even though Gunnarsson returned for the final furlong of Cardiff’s promotion season, he still wasn’t at his best. But he was determined to captain Iceland in the World Cup and fulfil a once-in-alifetime ambition.
Now that Iceland duty is on the back-burner – Warnock has said “club comes first this season – we could see a fully fit Gunnarsson after this latest knee injury.
Cardiff have been keen to give his rehabilitation as much as they can, but Warnock hinted could be in line to feature against Chelsea this
Reports in Turkey have already suggested that Cocu has already held talks with on loan Swan Andre Ayew over an alleged disagreement relating on the Ghanaian’s best position.
There’s no evidence to suggest that the relationship between the pair has soured, but Cocu’s position is still under increasing scrutiny.
According to Sky Sports, former Swans boss Carvalhal is being considered as a possible replacement.
weekend. And Cardiff fans know how effective the 29-year-old can be in the middle of the park.
At the start of Warnock’s tenure we saw the best of Gunnarsson, who was also a key performer back in 2013/14 the last time Cardiff were in the Premier League.
He should still be at his peak and, since Cardiff signed the more attacking midfield duo of Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa, he’s the most comfortable playing the defensive midfield role, allowing those two players to advance.
How Warnock would love to utilise Gunnarsson’s experience to shut down teams like Chelsea and Manchester City in the next week or two. It may be the perfect storm.
The case for Gunnarsson waiting in the wings
THERE are plenty of Cardiff fans who feasibly argue that it would be harsh to drop Ralls from the midfield, while Arter and Camarasa already seem integral – judging from their early displays.
That is not to mention the fact that Gunnarsson hasn’t been his usual self for a number of months, as mentioned.
In fact, one of the reasons that many supporters were keen for Cardiff to re-sign Marko Grujic on loan from Liverpool was because of concerns over Gunnarsson’s form and fitness. He signed a new contract but wouldn’t be an automatic pick, many argued.
It’s for that reason that Warnock is likely to phase Gunnarsson back into the team. Even if Gunnarsson, who has recently become a father for the second time, is fit then Cardiff may choose to leave him on the bench for now.
It could also be argued that Cardiff have found their ‘warrior type’ in Arter, a dynamic Premier League midfielder with the same tenacious approach as Gunnarsson but perhaps with a more refined passing style.
Midfield options will be scarce however, especially if the Bluebirds pick up more injuries, and you suspect Gunnarsson will get his chance soon enough.