‘They messed up’ – Ex-Tottenham captain shocked by Arsenal Women decision that led to controversial transfer

Arsenal Women dropped the ball in allowing Katie McCabe to leave for Chelsea on a free transfer, says former Tottenham captain Bethany England.

Republic of Ireland left-back McCabe agreed this week to join Chelsea when her Arsenal contract expires at the end of the month, a move which has infuriated fans due to the rivalry between the two Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs.

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And England, who will leave Spurs when her contract runs out on June 30, believes the backlash should be aimed at the Gunners rather than at McCabe herself.

‘What do the fans expect?’

The former England international, a Euro 2022 winner with the Lionesses, told the Added Time Podcast: “My question is…why aren’t the [Arsenal] fans angry at the club? I understand the rivalry of going from Arsenal to Chelsea – I get it – I’ve been in multiple derbies with Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, whatever – I get it.

“But Arsenal had the opportunity to re-sign her. They messed up in January; they fully messed up.

“And what do the fans expect? They expect her to go to a team that doesn’t have aspirations, isn’t wanting to win?

“She’s a mentality monster; she wants to win things. She has given so much of her life to that football club and the minute she’s gone and chosen to look after herself, they’ve [the fans] turned on her.

“And for me, I’m finding it really difficult – but I also understand it – seeing the amount of hate she’s getting. To me, the hatred – not that I want to spread hate – should be going towards the football club for messing up in the first place.”

England went on to criticise Arsenal for prioritising transfer targets in McCabe’s position who they ultimately failed to sign.

McCabe is believed to have only been offered a short contract extension by the Gunners, as her dad Gary told The Irish Sun: “I was surprised that she wasn’t offered a contract by Arsenal,” he admitted. “As far as I heard, they did come in the last week and they were giving an extension of a year, so I said to her, ‘Look, that’s an insult to you’. She had already spoken to the Chelsea manager [Sonia Bompastor].

“As far as I’m aware, she wouldn’t sign [a contract extension] because a year is no good to her.”

McCabe’s switch from Arsenal to Chelsea follows a number of high-profile transfers between the two men’s clubs.

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Ashley Cole swapped the Gunners for the Blues in 2006, with Kai Havertz going the other way in 2023.

Both players went on to win the Premier League title with their new club, Havertz doing so this season just gone.

McCabe joined Arsenal from Irish club Shelbourne back in 2015 and went on to make over 300 appearances for the Gunners, with her honours including the 2018/19 WSL title and 2024/25 Women’s Champions League.

In 2017, aged 21, McCabe became the youngest captain in the history of the Republic of Ireland women’s team, for whom she has earned more than a century of caps.

The 30-year-old will officially become a Chelsea player on July 1, having agreed a three-year contract with the Blues with the option for an additional year.

McCabe leaves Arsenal this summer alongside another club legend, England star Beth Mead, the pair having been teammates for the past nine years.

Arsenal finished the 2025/26 WSL season as runners-up to Manchester City, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League.