The Arsenal connection - how Katie McCabe’s first-hand knowledge of Sarina Wiegman’s key players can help Eileen Gleeson’s women tame the Lionesses

England

Beth Mead

“Beth Mead’s on fire, your defence is terrified.”

“Muoye seat is too high,” Euros 2022 Golden boot winner and Ballon d'Or Féminin runner up, Beth Mead mimics, her attempt at Kilnamanagh native Katie McCabe’s Dublin brogue surprisingly spot on.

Arsenal’s squad are deep in pre-season preparation and McCabe has ventured from base with the Lioness's star winger for a leisurely cycle, Mead’s quip a testament to their close friendship.

On speaking to BBC Sport last year, Mead, who was recently applauded for becoming the first player in the Women’s Super League to execute 40 assists for one club, jibed that McCabe was the player she would trust the least.

“Without hesitation. You give her a phone to look at a picture and she starts ‘liking’ that person's pictures,” She revealed, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. “She’s not to be trusted. Never.”

In the eyes of Arsenal supporters, McCabe holds the unofficial title of ‘president’ of Mead’s partner, Dutch phenom Vivianne Miedema’s fanclub, referring to the all time leading goal-scorer of the WSL as the ‘GOAT’ whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Having played six seasons together, it is evident that both Mead and McCabe have formed a close bond, Mead backing the mischievous skipper to achieve “amazing things” in the build up to Ireland’s World Cup debut last year.

The former Raheny United player, who this year ranked number twenty-two on the Ballon d'Or Féminin’s distinguished list, has been vocal in her support for Mead since her return from the dreaded three lettered ‘ACL’ injury.

"Beth Mead, what a player.” McCabe reflected following The Gunners' gutsy comeback (spurred on by Mead’s appearance in the 88th minute) against Villa in front of a 35,000 strong Emirates crowd. “To see her come on in front of a home crowd, the fans gave her the cheer, it was unbelievable. She’s worked so hard for the last 10 months and we’re all just so proud of her. She’s an unbelievable person and I’m delighted to have her back in the squad today.”

Mead solidified her return to action following a nine month absence, exposing her scarred knee in the 94th minute to knock the ball to a perfectly positioned Alessia Russo, who pounced to give Arsenal the winner.

From Eileen Gleesons perspective, as an attacking defender, McCabe’s link up play on the wing with the marauding forward, who often interchanges between the right and left flank, along with McCabe’s almost sixth sense of her positioning for set pieces, will be of most interest.

‘Meado’ however poses the greatest threat on the wing and is eager to engage in one v one battles, quietly confident that nine times out of ten, she will dummy past defenders with her frighteningly quick feet and impressive ball control.

Veterans Louise Quinn and Niamh Fahey will need to channel the grit of retiree Aine O’Gorman and marshal their defence if Mead is to be kept at a safe distance from the six yard box, while goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan will be kept on her toes, Mead often opting to whip the ball around her left or right boot and fire into the top bins.

The 28 year old will look to terrorise Ireland’s defence and is a threat that will no doubt disturb Gleeson’s sleep in the lead up to both qualifiers.

Alessia Russo

Katie McCabe and Alessia Russo have given Arsenal the win against Aston Villa.

What a turnaround pic.twitter.com/h37Do9oaKN

— Fanzine WSL (@FanzineWSL) October 15, 2023

Having arrived at The Emirates last summer to much fanfare, Alessia Russo has not failed to disappoint the North London faithful.

The 25 year old, who wears the number ‘23’ for both club and country as a nod to basketball icon Michael Jordan, has bagged 17 goals for England since being selected for the senior squad in 2022.

Like Jordan, who won six championships with the Chicago Bulls, Russo is a tireless competitor who covers every blade of grass when she dons the red or white shirt.

It is no surprise therefore that both she and McCabe make a formidable duo on the pitch nor that on first meeting, Russo recognised traits in the Irish heroine that she possesses herself.

On her first impressions of McCabe, Russo reflected.

“She’s lovely, she’s a competitor. You could see that right from the very first day that I was here. She’s a winner and she pushes the standards.”

It is for this reason that Gleeson may opt to give McCabe the freedom to dip into the centre of the pitch, to block threaded balls to Russo’s feet from Barcelona’s playmaker Kiera Walsh and one to watch, Spurs loanee, Grace Clinton.

Fan favourites and co-presenters Ruesha Littlejohn and Lucy Quinn will need to be aware of Russo’s deceptively timed runs, the Maiden born native often hanging just behind the first forward, relying on her physicality to shield the ball and break towards the box.

No doubt McCabe will forewarn them both of the battle to come.

Leah Williamson

England captain throughout their Euro 2022 campaign, Williamson has yet to make an appearance for The Lionesses this year, nor complete a full 90 minutes on the pitch alongside McCabe at Arsenal, having suffered a setback with a hamstring injury following an eagerly awaited return to both Jonas Eidevall and Wiegman’s squad.

The Milton Keynes native was one of a myriad of players to suffer an ACL injury for Arsenal last season and had only just made her return in late January of this year.

Her injury purported to be “minor”, the number 6 is odds on favourite to win back her place from Man United defender Mille Turner, Wiegman having already selected her as part of the 23-strong outfit that travelled to Spain for a training camp and friendly fixtures against Austria and Italy a number of weeks ago.

Given that both McCabe and Williamson have sported the captains armband for The Gunners, and their close proximity on the pitch both at the back and in the centre, McCabe is best placed to relay the passion that Williamson brings to both the back line and central midfield to the Ireland set-up before they face the 26 year old at The Aviva in April.

The Tallaght born native will also no doubt warn the women in green of the unrivalled vision of play Williamson possesses, her ability to pick out a pass from 30 yards and deliver with precision to a roving attacker a threat Gleeson will find extremely challenging to ward against.

Lotte Wubben-Moy

Soft spoken and perhaps under-rated in years past, the twenty-five year old centre backs star has risen for both Arsenal and England following a plague of ACL injuries which raided the squad throughout The Gunners 2022/2023 season.

Grasping her opportunity to start for the club she has followed since childhood with both hands, Wubben-Moy has since shown her metal, passion and drive with crucial last gasp challenges for both club and subsequently, country.

Having captained a successful under-17s side national side between 2015 and 2017, the socially conscious and creative bi-lingual speaker can be relied upon to do her job at both ends of the pitch, finishing in front of goal and defending with valour her keepers sticks.

No doubt McCabe will ensure that forwards Kyra Carusa, Abbie Larkin and Amber Barrett will be well versed in the gatekeepers relentless pursuit of any player that dares attempt to pass her, before they come face to face in April.

Damien Duff: 'Maybe in the last couple of years when we beat Bohs away we’re having a party and organising Dawson Street' https://t.co/0OMEUvWCbDpic.twitter.com/Enait0e3lz

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 10, 2024