Arsenal Women boss Jonas Eidevall says that Katie McCabe’s versatility and her willingness to play in different roles sets a winning culture for the rest of the team.
McCabe has excelled as a left-back, a left-winger and an inverted right-winger during her Arsenal career. This season, McCabe has increasingly operated as an inverted right-back. Arseblog News asked Eidevall about his decision to try McCabe in that role and her response to the suggestion earlier in the season.
‘I think Katie has a similar mindset to what I have and, as it seems from your question, what you might have as well, and that’s to be saying that when there comes an opportunity to try to see something different, that you look forward to doing that because you know that you maybe learn something new from it. You might see new angles, new tools coming into play, so that was my original thinking with it.
‘Let’s try to see how you get Katie’s qualities out in the right full-back position. I find she’s very much like that. Whenever I’ve been coming to her and asking her to play a position, I think I’ve ended up almost asking her about almost all positions except central defender, goalkeeper and the nine during my two and a half years here, she always comes in and says ‘no problem, I’ll play where you need me to be.’
‘She wants to understand the basics in the position and from there on we talk about how to get her strengths out of that position and she takes that on board. I think she’s very brave with that and never ever tried to be having a conversation like ‘I feel more comfortable playing in this position.’
‘She’s very much, ‘if that’s where the team needs me, I’m all for it and let’s make the best out of it.’ Me personally, I love that mentality. I really think that’s a winning mentality and a great way when you want to set the team culture.’
Arseblog News points out that McCabe did once play as a false 9 in a 3-1 Conti Cup win over West Ham in August 2018 and scored twice in that game.
🗣️ Eidevall: "I think I’ve asked her about almost all positions except central defender, goalkeeper and the nine"
🤣 Reporter: "She has played as a false nine before and scored twice…"
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) March 5, 2024
‘That’s good! It’s just central defender here now that might be the first time I get a no from her!’ The Gunners play Aston Villa at home in the Conti Cup semi-final on Wednesday evening as they aim to defend the trophy they won in 2023. Eidevall insists repeat success is a must for Arsenal.
‘That’s the thing with winning, and I’ve been on the good side of winning in my head coach career and won a lot of trophies, and for me you’re always hungry for more of it.
‘It’s not like you think that you’re done just because you won one trophy, the harder part in football and in life to be honest is to be on a high level for a long time, being consistent in doing that and finding new ways to elevate and to develop and that’s where I think when you look back at things that’s where you can find some real pleasure in doing.
‘We now have that opportunity to defend a trophy and to win something back to back and for me that’s even more special than doing just one thing once, so let’s really try to savour that moment and make the most out of it.’
Hi Tim, Sorry not post related and wasn’t sure how to send off blog.
As you have your finger on the pulse for the Arsenal ladies. I was wondering if you know where they have their ACL surgery or which surgeon performs it? They all come back as good as they left. Be appreciated if you could let me know. Thanks
Can’t argue with “Winning mentality” for many of them but particularly McCabe. What is frustrating is that she seems unable to control that mentality with behaviour that is often close to reckless risking her position on the pitch at times. Beth Mead, Kim Little and others have the same mentality in my view and yet they channel that in the right way. Just my view.
What gets her into trouble is passion. She knows about all the dark arts, but in contrast to, say, Lena Oberdorf. for whom it is *all* playacting, Katie’s fiery nature really does get the better of her at times. Trying to wind her opponents with physical tackles on the absolute edge of what is legal, drawing fouls, frustrating them, getting in their heads – that’s all fine. But what gets her the silly yellows is mostly talking back to the referee – and she does that because she is angry about a perceived injustice. She does have to learn to… Read more »
I would argue though that some of the yellows Katie gets are because of her reputation. She did nothing on Sunday to deserve one, and it’s not the first time. Terrible refereeing.
Yes, that’s definitely a factor this season.
I fully agree there. I said to my mate on Sunday its her reputation that gets her at least 40% of her bookings
I must admit I have only recently started following the ladies team but Katie McCabe is a fantastic player. Skilful, aggressive and delivers some vital goals. A female Roy Keane…
Don’t look back – it’s currently the “Golden Age” of women’s soccer.