Arsenal ace McCabe expects Gunners’ fight for silverware after friendly defeat of WSL champs Chelsea

KATIE MCCABE reckons Arsenal’s quality can help them in their battle for trophies with the Gunners targeting their first silverware win since 2019. 

And the midfield ace is expecting big things from the club who face Tottenham in a pre-season clash before a Champions League qualifier against Kazakhstan side Okzhetpes. 

The Republic of Ireland international, 25, was speaking to Arsenal’s web site following the team’s 2-1 pre-season win against Chelsea at the Emirates. 

Goals from the midfielder and rising starlet Freya Jupp, 17, were enough to seal the victory with 16-year-old Reanna Blades netting a solitary effort for the Blues.  

The Gunners’ last major trophy was back in the 2018-19 season with the club clinching their third Women’s Super League title. 

McCabe, who joined Arsenal from Shelbourne in 2015,  said: “Last year we didn't compete for any trophies. 

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“We secured the Champions League but a club like Arsenal needs to be up for trophies, so we're progressing to do that this year. 

“You can see the quality we've got in as well, so we mean business this season and we want to start that with the pre-season games moving into the season.

"There are big things coming to this team."

McCabe, who signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal back in May, was among the standout performers for the Gunners alongside Jupp, new signing Frida Mannam and England ace Jordan Nobbs.

The team were without Vivianne Miedema, Caitlin Foord and summer signings Nikita Parris and Mana Iwabuchi with all four away at the Tokyo Olympics.  

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The Gunners are currently waiting on the outcome of medical checks on Nobbs, 28, who was stretchered off with an ankle injury after a collision with Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert. 

The team were playing their first game under new management with assistant coach Aaron D’Antonio in the dugout and boss Jonas Eidevall, 38, currently undergoing quarantine following his arrival from Sweden.  

However the manager is expected to join his players this week ahead of their trip to Spurs and their clash with Okzhetpes at the Sapsan Arena in Russia. 

McCabe added: “He was giving us his team talk via Zoom, so that's a first but it's COVID times so what's new? 

“He's been great and the staff have been really supportive in making things as easy as possible for us players.”