Republic of Ireland captain, Katie McCabe, became the most recent Gunner to wear the armband this season, following injuries from both Kim Little and Leah Williamson. With doubts over Arsenal making European football for next season, McCabe stepped up and saw the Gunners over the line. But just how did Katie McCabe reach this point?
Passion and commitment are shown by very few the way McCabe does it! Her willingness to drive for every ball and defend the badge week in week out is admirable- even if it ends up in a yellow card!
Just like many girls getting into football when Katie McCabe was younger, the access to women’s teams was difficult to find. Until the age of 10, when she found a girls team in Templeogue, McCabe would play in a boys team and with her 10 siblings growing up in Kilnamanagh in Dublin.
After a few years here, the now Irish captain, transferred to Raheny United as a teenager, During her time, she won two league titles and three consecutive FAI Women’s Cups with the club, as well as making an appearance in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The Arsenal left winger took a leap into her professional football career in 2015, when she signed for the Gunners. Despite a rocky first two years, coming and going from the starting 11, McCabe is now a crucial cog in Jonas Eidevall’s squad.
The 27 year olds versatile nature on the left, means she is an unpredictable player to mark. The leadership qualities she has built during her time at the club can also be reflected in her international playing career, as she became the Republic of Ireland captain at just 21 years of age. An exciting position that is seeing her lead the Republic of Ireland to their first ever World Cup this summer.
In an interview with the Irish Times, McCabe highlights the mutual benefit between fans and players:
“As a team, our fans are so important for us, they are the 12th player, they help us get over the edge and really obviously push us on when we need them.”
Katie McCabe’s influence on the Gunners too has seen her achieve the following awards:
Women's National League: 2012/13, 2013/14
FAI Women's Cup: 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14
WNL Cup: 2014/15
FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup: 2017/18
Women's FA Cup: 2015/16
Barclays FA Women's Super League: 2018/19
Player of the Season: 2020/21
With an exciting summer ahead and a promising season next year for the Gunners, Katie McCabe remains as one of the most vital players for both her club and country.