Euro 2016: France vs Iceland - 5 players to watch out for

#5 Aron Gunnarsson

Aron Gunnarsson has led his side from the front

The Iceland captain’s tigerish displays in the heart of the midfield during Euro 2016 have earned him numerous accolades and some fans have wondered why he has been overlooked by Europe’s elite clubs till now. A feisty and combative midfielder, Gunnarsson is the true successor to Gennaro Gattuso on the football pitch.

The 27-year-old started his career in the Dutch junior leagues with AZ Alkmaar. A move to the lower leagues in England followed, with a spell in Coventry City and then to Cardiff, where he has been since 2011. Having made his debut for Iceland in 2008, Gunnarsson has gone on to win 63 caps for the national side and has scored 2 goals.

Gunnarsson brings probably the most potent and least orthodox threat to the Iceland side – extremely potent throwing arms. His long throws, a la Rory Delap of yore, has been the source of much confusion in the opposition ranks in Euro 2016. Indeed it was from his throw in that Iceland equalised against England in their round of 16 encounter. Iceland fans will be hoping for a similarly bullish performance from their captain against the hosts tonight.