Katie McCabe interview: Arsenal's versatile star on playing hard but fair and Oleksandr Zinchenko inspiration | OneFootball

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With the business end of the season underway, it’s no surprise Katie McCabe has a smile on her face and a spring in her step.

Few people can match the Arsenal defender’s competitive streak and she is relishing what should be an exciting end to the season.

Arsenal are just three points off Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea, who they face on Friday night at Stamford Bridge.

The Gunners are also in the final of the League Cup at the end of this month, where they will take on - you’ve guessed it - Chelsea.

“We are hungry and we want more,” McCabe tells Standard Sport.

“When you are representing a club like Arsenal, if you don’t have that competitive drive to win trophies, you shouldn’t be here. We got a taste of it last year and we are still in with a chance to win two more this season.”

There are two different versions of Katie - one off the pitch and one on it.

McCabe has become a cult hero at Arsenal since joining the club in 2015, thanks in part to her playing style.

Clips of the Ireland captain throwing herself into tackles regularly go viral on social media and she is unapologetic about her will to win.

“I am who I am, and I am proud of that,” she says. “I play with my heart on my sleeve. I will always go hard, be aggressive, but I think there is definitely a difference between being aggressive and a dirty player.

“Touch wood, I’ve never hurt anybody in my career. I will always play fair, but I’ll play hard - and that is something I will never let up.”

Away from the pitch, McCabe insists she is different, describing herself as chilled and laidback. “I’m nice! No, really I am!” she says, grinning.

Her team-mates would back McCabe up on that, but when she steps on the pitch she has the ability to flick the switch.

“[Arsenal goalkeeper] Sarah Bouhaddi said to me the other day that I had two personalities,” says McCabe.

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“There is two different versions of Katie - one off the pitch and one on it. But that’s when I am in performance mode, I can flick the switch and I am ready to go.

“I am from a big family. We have always been big fans of all sports. There would be killings if one of us lost!

“You’ve got to stand up for yourself and I definitely get my competitive drive from being one of 11 kids.”

It would be wrong, though, to pigeonhole McCabe as a combative player and her performances this season have shown that.

Originally a left winger by trade, she has slotted in seamlessly at right-back and provided the Gunners with a different way of playing by tucking into midfield.

“I love the challenge of having to adapt,” McCabe says. “I am working hard for the team, which is most important for me.

You’ve got to stand up for yourself... I get my competitive drive from being one of 11 kids

“This season especially how [Oleksandr] Zinchenko roles inside and becomes that second No6, I’ve looked at. Not in individual analysis, but just admiring when I am watching the men’s team play and how they switch and change positions.

“He is a wonderfully technical player. I like to see what he does in that role and how the men’s team setup.”

After a slow start to the season, Arsenal’s women’s team - like the men’s - are now flying. They head to Stamford Bridge on Friday night full of confidence and with the knowledge they will be backed by 6,000 away fans.

“It’s incredible,” says McCabe. “You can feel it, right from when you warm up. They’re our 12th player, cheering us on and supporting us.

“I am happy they have put it on that platform in the men’s stadium where more fans can come watch us.

“We are getting used to it now with the Emirates selling out. For me, it is kind of harder going back to playing in front of smaller crowds because you get the buzz and the atmosphere from 60,000 people.”