Cardiff City were eliminated from the League Cup in midweek, which could mean a spell on the bench for Arsenal loanee Runar Alex Runarsson.

Arsenal’s Runar Alex Runarsson went out on loan to Cardiff City in August, but the goalkeeper has strong competition for starts at the Championship club.

Cardiff also have former Newcastle United goalkeeper Jak Alnwick on their books, and it’s Alnwick who has received most of their league minutes so far.

After starting the first two games of Runarsson’s loan, Alnwick dropped to the bench for Cardiff’s League Cup game against Birmingham City at the end of August.

Runarsson impressed on his debut, earning a league start against Ipswich Town later that week.

But Cardiff lost the league match 3-2, and Alnwick returned to the side with a clean sheet after the international break.

Since then, Alnwick has gone on to start the next two league games for Cardiff, most recently putting in an inspired performance against Sunderland.

Alnwick made seven saves to keep a clean sheet in the clash, preventing more than 1 xG, in addition to making a couple of high claims.

Runarsson then came into the team in midweek for their League Cup game against Blackburn, but it didn’t go well, with the hosts running out 5-2 winners.

With Cardiff now out of the League Cup and Alnwick performing so well in the league, it’s difficult to see a way in for Runarsson in the short term.

The Iceland international may have to wait for the FA Cup to start for another opportunity, unless an injury or suspension rules Alnwick out before then.

This is often the risk you take as a goalkeeper on loan, and Runarsson will just have to be patient waiting for another opportunity.