GUNNERS READY TO BATTLE PITBULL

Gunnarsson has battled back from a shoulder injury to regain fitness and played for more than an hour in the 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.

Iceland star Aron Gunnarsson was delighted to pass his big test and put himself in contention for Cardiff City’s Premier League opener at West Ham.

Gunnarsson has battled back from a shoulder injury to regain fitness and played for more than an hour in the 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao – his first appearance of pre-season.

Hours after the friendly finished, the Bluebirds completed the signing of Sevilla hard-man Gary Medel for £9.5m and the pair will fight it out this week for the Upton Park anchor slot.

Whoever gets the nod in East London on Saturday will have to be on their best behaviour as World Cup final ref Howard Webb has been appointed as the man in the middle.

Before last Saturday's game, Gunnarsson was philosophical about manager Malky Mackay's efforts to bring in a holding midfielder, having missed out on French international Etienne Capoue.

The 24-year-old said: "I'm sure he'll bring somebody in. If it is another midfielder, I'll just have to tackle them hard in training."

That battling spirit is what has endeared the Scandinavian star to the Bluebirds faithful in the two years since his move from Coventry City.

Now Mackay will relish the two battling it out for a place in his Premier League XI each week.

After Saturday's match, Macky said: “Aron came through well and we are all absolutely delighted."

“He came off because we felt that was the right time in his first match of pre-season.

“He finished last season well and it was really disappointing when he was injured on international duty in June.

“But he came back from the summer break early and members of our physio staff came in to help him step up his fitness.

“Our medical team have worked hard with Aron to get him ready to play.

“He is fit again and looked good against Bilbao’s high-quality players.”

Gunnarsson suffered a dislocated shoulder two months ago and that will mean he is unable to launch his trademark long throws for some time.

The 24-year-old has also withdrawn from Iceland’s friendly against the Faroe Islands this week, having talked it through with his national team manager Lars Lagerback.

Instead he will stay in South Wales and train with the City squad ahead of the West Ham fixture.

City’s medical staff have spent a lot of time ensuring Gunnarsson’s shoulder area is as strong as possible.

“If he does go into a challenge and falls we need to do everything possible to ensure the shoulder is strong and doesn’t pop again,” said Mackay.

“We will be wary of that for the next few years.”

West Ham limbered up for the visit of City next Saturday by beating Portuguese outfit Pacos de Ferreira 2-1 at Upton Park.

Ravel Morrison, the former Manchester United forward, continued his excellent pre-season form by opening the scoring after 16 seconds.

The second goal coming from Modibo Maiga, the Malian international set to deputise for injured England striker Andy Carroll in the opening weeks of the campaign.

West Ham fans had hoped their £15m frontman, who has missed the entire pre-season, was on course to make a recovery in time to face Cardiff.

But first-team coach Ian Hendon said: “We don’t think he’s going to make it.

“The original injury was eight to 12 weeks. He’s chomping at the bit but we must do what’s right.”

I'd play them both, play a 4-1-3-2 formation!


Marshall
Brayford Caulker Hudson John
Medel
Kim-Bo Whittingham Gunnarsson
Bellamy Campbell

Id play them both. Drop Whitts. We need to play a pressing game and Gary and Gunnarsson are the
very men to do it behind KimBo whilst protecting the defence.

I doubt Medel will start this week, he hasn't even met up with the squad yet

Id play them both. Drop Whitts. We need to play a pressing game and Gary and Gunnarsson are the
very men to do it behind KimBo whilst protecting the defence.

Spot on!

I'd play them both, play a 4-1-3-2 formation!


Marshall
Brayford Caulker Hudson John
Medel
Kim-Bo Whittingham Gunnarsson
Bellamy Campbell

The formation I would prefer to that is 4-2-3-1. Both Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmand use it. But the 3 players in front of the two holding players would be 2 wingers and 1 attacking midfielder.

Along with that one, 4-3-3 is a formation I really like, it encourages you to pass the ball rather than whack it upfield.

Id play them both. Drop Whitts. We need to play a pressing game and Gary and Gunnarsson are the
very men to do it behind KimBo whilst protecting the defence.

Agree with that ,well put

I doubt Medel will start this week, he hasn't even met up with the squad yet

He's probably bet kept in isolation until match day to be honest.

I initially read the title wrong and thought it said "Gunners ready to join battle for pitbull" The Cadiff fan in me thought he had been denied a work permit ,the deal had fallen through an Arsenal were trying to sign him

I would use them both in the team they would work well together, both engines, both strong and both strong in the tackle.

I'd play them both, play a 4-1-3-2 formation!


Marshall
Brayford Caulker Hudson John
Medel
Kim-Bo Whittingham Gunnarsson
Bellamy Campbell

The formation I would prefer to that is 4-2-3-1. Both Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmand use it. But the 3 players in front of the two holding players would be 2 wingers and 1 attacking midfielder.

Along with that one, 4-3-3 is a formation I really like, it encourages you to pass the ball rather than whack it upfield.

Absolutely spot on. Our defence would be well protected by Gunnarsson and The Wild One, but at the
same time both can pick out a pass, and both will probably weigh in with half a dozen goals each.
The three in front of them will be mobile, fluid and will all be looking to feed the striker or get on
the end of something. Its a good formation. Whittingham to me doesnt quite offer as much as Kimbo
going forward and lacks the steely edge of Gunnarsson in a more defensive role