A letter from Katie McCabe | News

To the Arsenal family,

I’ve gone back and forth on how to write this because honestly, it’s huge chapter of my life closing and there are so many people and moments that mean so much to me.

I arrived at Arsenal as a young girl from Dublin in 2015, not really knowing what to expect – just knowing I wanted to be here. Over time, it became so much more than football. It became home.

I grew up here. I built something to be proud of here. I’ve achieved every major trophy here, and it’s shaped me as a player and as a person.

We’ve been through everything together. The early days trying to find my place, the loan spell that changed a lot for me, and then coming back and finally feeling like I belonged here.

I owe so much to Joe Montemurro. He saw something in me and gave me the belief and confidence to become the player I always believed I could be. From there, it’s been an amazing journey.

Winning the league in 2019. The FA Cup win in 2016. The Conti Cups. Fighting for every point, every minute.

And then, winning the Champions League is something I genuinely don’t think anything will ever top. If 10-year-old me could see what this journey became, she’d be so proud. To say I’ve won it all here means everything to me. And I want to be an example to girls everywhere that if I can win it all, no dream is too big for you.

One of the happiest days of my life was bringing that trophy home and seeing thousands of you there celebrating with us. The scenes, the noise, the love from everyone who came out to celebrate us – that’s something I’ll never forget. We fought for that and we earned it and we enjoyed every minute. Even if some of you probably won’t let me near a microphone again after it… 🎤😂

But more than any trophy or achievement, it’s been the connection with all of you supporters that made this place so special for me.

You’ve seen me at my best and at my worst. You’ve seen the passion, the emotion that I have and how competitive I am, but you’ve always appreciated the different, softer side of me off the pitch and that’s meant the world to me too.

Every single moment came from a place of caring so deeply about wanting to give absolutely everything to help this team win.

Hearing my name sung by you all, celebrating big wins together at the Emirates, cheering a tackle like it was a goal – those are the moments I’ll carry with me forever. The interactions after games, seeing you around the city, feeling your love and support through every stage of my career… it’s meant more to me than I could ever properly put into words.

I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come together, and Women’s football as a whole. We represent something far greater than our individual objectives. To have been part of that journey is something I’ll always cherish.

After more than a decade, it’s time for a new chapter to begin this summer for me.

Thank you for the memories, the belief, the support, and the love you’ve shown me from day one. Thank you for allowing me to live out my dream here for so many years.

I’ll carry these memories with me forever.

Katie ❤️