Ireland captain Katie McCabe has deservingly signed a new contract with Arsenal, an agreement in which the club has described as a “long-term” deal.
Announced on the North London club’s website this morning was news of the 25 year old's new contract, which is no less than deserved after some eye catching performances from McCabe in recent weeks, with her efforts proving pivotal in their pursuit of Champions League football.
Following a 2-1 victory over 5th place Everton on Sunday, Arsenal find themselves in 3rd place in the FA Women’s Super League, four points behind second place Chelsea, and five points off league leader Manchester City who sit at the summit on 52 points.
With just one game remaining in the league, Arsenal virtually secured Champions League football as their seventh straight win meant the side finished the day three points clear of Manchester United, with a healthy goal difference of 48 to United’s 22 as they head into the final round of the Women’s Super League.
Great news that Katie McCabe has signed a new deal. Got my vote for Arsenal POTY this season, 12 assists and four goals from left-back this season. ?
— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) May 4, 2021
The Dubliner, who joined the side from Shelbourne in 2015, has earned rave reviews this season for some stellar performances and her chipped goal at the weekend against Everton means the news of her new contract has been more than warranted.
The match highlights, attached below, show the early goal that proved a crucial one for McCabe and her side as it kickstarted their path to victory on the day as they took the lead in the 22nd minute. It came as no surprise that the Arsenal number 15 was the woman to guide them to Champions League football as she was later hauled down in the opposition box in the 94th minute which allowed for teammate Kim Little to duly dispatch the resulting spot kick and secure a massive three points for the side.
McCabe’s form this season has been exemplary at times– her chipped goal taking her tally to four goals for this campaign– kindly complimented by a further 12 assists in her 24 games played this season.
The versatile left footer, who is comfortable operating on both the wing and at full back, spoke upon her new deal this morning. She said: “ I’m absolutely delighted,” adding: “I love this club and I feel like we’re in a really good place and that we’re ready to push on. I’m delighted it got done and now I'm ready to kick on and help this club win more trophies.
Katie McCabe with all the wing backs better than her in the league pic.twitter.com/ZnHHH05zvd
— Belinda (@belindaa_awfc) May 4, 2021
“It’s been amazing ever since i joined the club. There’s been ups and downs along the way, but i feel like i'm in a really good place with the team that we’ve got, the players we’ve got and all the staff behind the scenes.
“I’m really happy to commit my future.”
The former Raheny United player, who marked her 50th international cap against Belgium last month, has an impressive roll of honour with the English side– winning the Women’s FA Cup, FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup and Barclays FA Women’s Super League throughout her 113 appearances with the club. It is evident that her manager Joe Montemurro thinks highly of the dead ball specialist, distinguishing McCabe as “one of the highlights of the last three of four years” at Arsenal, adding how she has “developed into a world-class left-sided player.”
The compliments don’t end there for the Dublin woman, with journalists and fans taking to twitter to outline their thoughts on her new contract following her eye-catching performance at the weekend.
With Ireland’s draw for the World Cup Qualifying campaign discovered at the weekend, some stiff opposition awaits the Girls in Green. Drawn into Group A against Sweden, Finland, Slovakia and Georgia, the side face some stern challenges on their quest to qualify for the tournament, which is set to be staged in New Zealand and Australia in 2023. With today’s news of a deserved new contract for McCabe following her exploits this season, Vera Pauw will look forward promisingly, with her captain and star player’s form of late imperative to Ireland’s hopes of qualification.
? - Katie McCabe so far this season:
✅ Most assists (11)
✅ Most key passes (48)
(2.62 per 90)
✅ Most completed passes into the penalty area (38)
✅ Most completed crosses into the penalty area (17)
76 chances created (#2)
34 dribbles completed (#2)
22 tackles won (#2) pic.twitter.com/bXq8JDUsjB
— miedemastuff (@miedemastuff) May 3, 2021
