A very subjective look into AWFC

Tomorrow’s match is one of those that challenge my puzzle solving/tetris playing ability, and you’d be correct if you thought that I wasn’t good at either. Usually though, we have a good idea of who is playing were but because we don’t know a certain someone’s fitness situation, it all gets very confusing.

That certain someone is Katie McCabe and she has become, in my mind at least, the most important player this year and is in fact the only option for player of the season. She is it. I know a lot of people want other players but they aren’t as crucial, effective and relevant. They just aren’t. They don’t carry the same weight.

I’ve said many times, and I still think this way, that Lia Walti is the barometer. How she plays, arsenal play. How her season goes, ours goes. I will die on that hill. This doesn’t take away the importance of Katie McCabe.

I’ll just mention 2 things: her versatility and her power.

Let’s start with the latter… it’s unquestionable, undeniable and unmatched. She is a force of nature and ANY team with her in it is that much more intense, powerful and dare I say: mean. And we need that.

I’m sorry but I would bet large sums of money that an opposing team looks at our team sheet, sees Pelova, LWM, KCC or Frida and are terrified or intimidated. But they see McCabe and they are like: oh shit.

I guarantee it.

She is also absurdly versatile. I mean her not playing at right back tomorrow can throw the whole damn thing into a crazy spiral. Now we’re thinking about 3 at the back, having players play out of position and all this at a sold out Emirates.

I’ll definitely talk about this on the next pod, but at the risk of sounding arrogant, if you don’t see her importance I kindly suggest you watch the games and ignore twitter and TikTok.

So, with that said, who is fit and who fits in the squad tomorrow? Well its hard to say if Katie’s involvement is not confirmed. Assuming she is not…

A change in formation is what I’m expecting and what I’m afraid of. 3 at the back isn’t something I feel Jonas excels at. Also, these are incredible players that will adapt and play anywhere for the good of the team.

I wouldn’t be shock if Beth plays RB.