Few transfers have divided opinion among the Arsenal Women fanbase quite like Katie McCabe’s move to Chelsea, writes Amelia Warren.
Earlier this week it was announced that the Republic of Ireland captain had signed a three-year deal with the Gunners’ fierce rivals.
For many supporters the news is tough to take. McCabe spent more than a decade in red and white, becoming one of the most iconic and influential players at the club during that time.
However now the dust has settled on the move, the question remains, is her decision to swap N5 for SW6 one that should be condemned or understood?
I believe Arsenal have a lot to answer for in terms of not giving McCabe the security she needed to be able to extend her stay in North London.
Back in February it was initially reported that Arsenal were not planning on extending McCabe’s contract upon its expiry, with plans to refresh the squad with younger players during the summer transfer window.
Months passed by with no further word on McCabe’s future at the club, until extraordinarily, with just a week left of the WSL season, Arsenal made U-turn and offered McCabe a contract extension.
By this point it is likely McCabe had already started to hold talks with other clubs, with her fully expecting Arsenal to let her go.
The decision to U-turn with very little time left of the campaign felt a lot like Arsenal were hanging McCabe out to dry, and making her departure look more like her own decision, rather than one she had felt forced into due to poor organisation by the club.
After spending 11 years at a club, you would be right to feel slightly disrespected by the whole ordeal.
Additionally, Arsenal’s last minute offer did not give McCabe the sort of stability that Chelsea were able to provide her. Reports suggest Arsenal had only given McCabe the option of a one year extension, which would have left her in this same predicament this time next year.
However, her contract with Chelsea will run until the summer of 2029, with the option of a further year.
Potentially four years of security with a club that is going to be regularly competing well both domestically and in Europe, would be extremely difficult to turn down, particularly for a player who is 30 years old and heading into the twilight years of her career.
When you also factor in that McCabe will not have to relocate, and supported the Blues growing up, it feels more and more like a no-brainer for her.
When you look at her career with Arsenal, staying for one more campaign brings next to no benefit. She is likely to fall out of favour when new arrivals undoubtedly come through the door throughout her summer, and she has won every trophy that she could possibly win with the club.
Moving on allows her to welcome new challenges and have different ambitions.
Despite all of these points, it is entirely understandable why some supporters feel so disappointed by the news. Having to let one of your most decorated players go is always going to be tough, let alone when they move on to a bitter rival.
Knowing that McCabe could now go on to help Chelsea be successful feels frustrating, particularly when the type of success the Blues are looking for is the same success we are aspiring to achieve.
However, it feels as though the frustrations of supporters should be aimed more at the club, rather than McCabe herself.
Should Arsenal have offered McCabe an extension initially back in February, things may have worked out differently. Instead the reality is that she is doing what is best for the progression and stability of her career, and for that, I struggle to blame her.
Despite the circumstances being difficult, McCabe will always have my respect. Once a Gooner.