McCabe impressing at the Gunners
By Daire Walsh
KILNAMANAGH Katie McCabe was amongst the goals at Villa Park on Saturday as Arsenal maintained their early title challenge in the Women’s Super League with a convincing 4-1 triumph over Aston Villa.
Operating in an attacking role, McCabe found the net on 62 minutes to move the Gunners into a 3-1 lead. Kirsty Hanson had edged Villa in front during the early exchanges of the contest, before a Rachel Corsie own goal and a Vivianne Miedema finish helped to squeeze Arsenal into the ascendancy.
Jordan Nobbs rounded off the scoring to ensure that the visitors claimed all three points on offer in fine style. This was their eighth win from nine league games thus far this season, with their sole defeat to date being at the hands of Manchester United on November 19.
Nevertheless, McCabe and her Arsenal team-mates are firmly in the title reckoning as they currently trail London rivals Chelsea by just three points with a game in hand.
2023 is set to be a big year for McCabe as she will lead the Republic of Ireland women’s national team into battle at next summer’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand – an historic first for the Girls in Green.
Arsenal will be her main priority until the next international window, however, and she continues to underline her importance to the Gunners’ cause. It was seven years ago this month that McCabe touched down in the English capital from Women’s National League outfit Shelbourne and – save for a brief loan spell at Glasgow City – she has plied her trade there ever since.
She is one of just four players to start all nine of Arsenal’s games in the 2022-23 Women’s Super League and while last Saturday saw McCabe registering her first goal of the season, it would come as little surprise to see her adding to this tally either side of Christmas.
McCabe is also making a vital contribution for Arsenal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Of the four games the Londoners have played in Group C of the top-tier European competition, she has started three of them and come off the bench in the other.
Arsenal have been playing their home games in the Champions League at the 60,000 seater Emirates Stadium and it is there that they will host Lyon this evening (kick-off 8pm).
While the Gunners recorded a 5-1 win over the French side at the beginning of the campaign, only three points separate the teams at the Group C summit. Arsenal are the current pace-setters and would be guaranteed top spot in the group with even a draw, but will need to be wary of the threat Lyon could pose.
Even if it isn’t secured tonight, Arsenal would have another shot at claiming top seed for the last-eight in an away clash with Zurich next Wednesday.
McCabe has won the Women’s Super League, the FA Women’s League Cup and the FA Women’s Cup during her time at Arsenal and would be thrilled to add a European crown to her list of honours.