Renee Slegers says she and the club regret that Katie McCabe did not get the opportunity to say goodbye to the home support on Wednesday night as her contract situation remained unresolved at the time.
Essentially, McCabe was not going to be offered a deal but there was a late twist after she performed so well at centre-half in recent Champions League games and that versatility was considered useful as there is an awareness inside the club that the squad needs to be bigger next season. Our understanding is that McCabe staying would not have impacted summer plans in terms of incomings.
The prospect of a new contract for Katie was up for discussion until hours before the game against Everton when Manu Zinsberger, Laia Codina, Beth Mead, Bara Votikova and Naomi Williams were honoured on the pitch after the final whistle.
It meant McCabe did not get the chance for a home goodbye. Arseblog News asked manager Renee Slegers whether she understood fan concerns, both over Katie not getting a chance to say goodbye to the home crowd and concerns over the apparent u-turn on her contract situation.
‘I do understand that and we feel the same. Katie is a legend of the club and she deserved her moment with the fans at the Emirates. So we’ll do everything we can to honour Katie. It doesn’t take away anything of who she is and what she’s done for the club.
‘But that’s something we’re not happy with and that’s very unfortunate that she couldn’t get that moment at the Emirates together with the fans both for herself, but also for the fans as well.’
Arsenal conclude their WSL season away at Liverpool at 1pm on Saturday at Anfield.