It’s been the year of the Viking Thunder-Clap, but for Aron Gunnarsson it’s also been a year of redemption. Josh Thomas examines how the Cardiff City player has kicked on from his Iceland heroics and gone from reject to regular for his Championship club.

 

Euro 2016 year will always be remembered for Wales’ progress to the semi finals, Portugal winning international honours for the first time, and Iceland’s ‘Viking war chant’ – which has since been adopted by Cardiff City fans – as they marched onto the quarter finals.

The captain of the side was none other than Cardiff City’s Aron Gunnarsson, who, at one point seemed to be destined to leave the Welsh club for as a little as £2m with Norwich City and Derby County in line for his signature. But nothing came of it and now he has become a regular under new manager Neil Warnock, who sees him as part of his plans and described him as a “manager’s dream” and has shown confidence in him stating that, “he’s as good as anything in the league”.

Flashback to a few months ago, though, when Gunnarsson was in and out of the team under Paul Trollope and only managed 29 games in all competitions with 11 coming of the bench, compared to starting in each and every game Warnock has managed so far. He also managed to recently score his first goal of the season against Nottingham Forest in a fine individual display.

But how did the Bluebirds come across this player and how has he become part of the first team again?

Well, he was signed by Malky Mackay on a free transfer in 2011 from Coventry City where he had become an established centre midfielder and cemented himself as one of the first names on the team sheet. Under Mackay, Gunnarsson soon became a fan favourite and is one of only two players left in the current squad – with the other one being Peter Whittingham – who helped City get promoted. He really shone throughout the 2012/13 season with his battling displays, consistent performances, and all this at the time when he was made captain of Iceland.

Throughout his career his leadership has become evident in his play and has resulted in him being the anchor in midfield – holding the ball up well and helping to create chances either from his late dash into the penalty area or from his accustomed long throw-ins. Those throws have become a huge favourite with the fans.

His tendency to create something out of nothing was crucial to him arriving late into the penalty area to score Cardiff’s first Premier League Goal against Manchester City in August 2013. But as the season went on, he was powerless to prevent the Bluebirds’ relegation back to the Championship.

Back in the Championship, Gunnarsson went on to play in every League game apart from one and scored four goals – his most in a season since the Championship-winning season. Since then, under Warnock he has found the role where he is most happy and he said: “Being a defensive midfielder is where I feel most comfortable. My job is to help the team out and give the ball to more skilful players to push forward.”

By playing a more defensive role he is hopeful his club form can even eclipse that for his country. “Keeping a solid back line is my aim and my job for the national team – now, it is for Cardiff City, too. “Hopefully, that will lead to good results. Having a strong backbone through the team – and leaving the attacking players free to do their side of things. There’s definitely similarities, and it’s just a matter of everyone together, sticking together, and having something to fight for.”

Since moving to Cardiff, Gunnarsson has gone from strength to strength, become a vastly experienced midfielder, and he hopes to play his part in leading the team away from the Championship relegation zone and on towards greater success.

“I have been here six or seven years, Cardiff is my club and I am trying to help get to where they deserve to be.”

Here’s hoping that the Bluebirds’ “Viking warrior” can continue to produce thunder on the field and remain a valuable asset to Cardiff City Football Club.