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      Gunners icon Wright reckons Katie McCabe gives Arsenal no less than ‘eight out of ten’ on the pitch

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      IAN WRIGHT revealed he is ‘loving’ Katie McCabe’s performances on the pitch for Arsenal.And the Highbury hero, who turned 58 today, likened goal ace Vivianne Miedema to former club team-mate Dennis Bergkamp.
      Ian Wright reckons Katie McCabe is in fine form for top-flight leaders ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Wright, who was a guest on the YouTube sports show UMM, was sharing his thoughts on the WSL stars who have been earning plaudits for their efforts in domestic contests and the Champions League.
      On whether Miedema is presently his favourite Arsenal player, Wright said: “Listen, Viv is like how Bergkamp was. Everybody loves her because of how great she is.
      “I have to say at the moment it is probably Katie McCabe at left-back.
      “She’s one of those players you don’t get less than eight out of from 10 from her.

      “She gets on with her game flies into tackles, great footballer great crosses, scoring great goals. I’m loving Katie McCabe.”
      McCabe and Miedema, whose side play West Ham next, have notched up a combined tally of seven WSL goals and five assists for their club
      Their team have lost just once in 13 games in all competitions this term falling to a 4-1 defeat in a Champions League group stage clash with Barcelona.
      McCabe, who signed a new long-term Arsenal contract in May, has featured in midfield and as well as left-back for the Gunners.
      Last month club boss Jonas Eidevall praised the Republic of Ireland star’s versatility on the pitch following her Player of the Match performance in Arsenal’s 3-0 home win against Everton.
      Wright says Miedema is a similar to Dennis Bergkamp on the pitchCredit: Getty
      The Sweden-born coach said: “What I like about Katie is that she can bring different things to the team depending on where you have her in the starting position.
      “So, as a coach, sometimes you can fit her into a position where you think it will fit the match picture.
      “She’s so versatile and to be honest, she has played a little bit as an attacking midfielder for us this year as well
      Katie McCabe and Arsenal are due to face Chelsea in this year’s FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
      “In all those positions (winger, full-back and attacking midfield), she will give you the pace, give you the dribbles with her left foot and obviously her crosses and finishes.”
      McCabe and her team-mates are due to play in their first major cup final this year following their 2019 Continental trophy triumph.
      The WSL leaders will take on Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday 5 December in the delayed final of last term’s Women’s FA Cup.
      And they will be hoping to avenge their loss to the Blues in the finals of the tournament back in May 2018.
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      Arsenal 3 Brighton 0: WSL leaders dispatch Seagulls to seal FA Cup final duel with Chelsea

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      ARSENAL toppled stubborn Brighton to set up an all-London FA Cup final with Chelsea in December.Two goals in four minutes from Kim Little and Beth Mead and a strike from Leah Williamson secured a gritty 3-0 win at Meadow Park.
      Beth Mead scored as Arsenal beat Brighton 3-0 to set up an FA Cup final with rivals ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Captain Kim Little opened the scoring for Gunners in the second halfCredit: Reuters
      The North London giants will be keen to avenge the 3-1 loss they endured in the last FA Cup final clash between the top tier’s top dogs.
      Mead told BBC Sport: “We had the disappointment last time myself included. 
      “What a feeling (it would be) to go and win an FA Cup, one of the biggest trophies in the women’s game and the men’s game. 
      “It will be a good game. Hopefully, we can try and get the win.”
      Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said: “The closest I’ve come to being at Wembley was when I bought tickets for Adele a few years ago but then my wife and I couldn’t go. I’m definitely going this time.
      “It feels a little bit surreal, to be honest. I never imagined having the chance to receive a trophy or success so so quickly, so really feels like a great opportunity for us to go there and compete.
      “I’m really enjoying watching us play at the moment. I think we play some exciting football.
      “Apart from the Barcelona game, I think we have scored at least three goals in every game that we played so far in competitive games.”

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      Brighton, who were appearing in a cup semi-final for the first time in 45 years, have developed a reputation as a tough team to breakdown.
      And this proved that to be the case in the opening period at Meadow Park with the Seagulls keeping the scoreline level in the first half.
      One of the earliest Arsenal efforts came via Beth Mead in the eighth minute with the forward showing quick feet to send a Seagulls defender sliding on the turf before the ball was hoofed out of danger.
      And moments later Brighton attempted to counter with ex-Gunner Danielle Carter latching on to a long pass from Megan Walsh, before Jen Beattie got the ball away.
      Ex-Arsenal ace Danielle Carter was Brighton’s most dangerous threatCredit: Getty
      Arsenal had a decent shot on goal a little later with Jordan Nobbs’ angled strike being comfortably caught by Walsh.
      And the hosts had an excellent chance of going in front minutes before half-time with Albion skipper Victoria Williams clearing Nikita Parris’ goal-bound header off the line.
      The second half saw the floodgates open for Arsenal netting twice in five minutes with Mead wrong-footing her marker to tee up Little the 48th minute.
      And the in-form Lionesses forward got on the score sheet moments later nutmegging Maya Le Tissier to slot the ball home past Walsh.
      Brighton, who brought on Emma Koivisto in the second-half, came close to netting themselves shortly after, with the Finland full-back firing narrowly wide in the 60th minute.
      Leah Williamson got on the scoresheet for the hosts heading in their third goal against AlbionCredit: Reuters
      But the hosts crushed any hopes of an Albion comeback with Leah Williamson’s bullet header sealing a 3-0 victory and a trip to Wembley for Jonas Eidevall’s side.
      Of the game, Hope Powell said: “When we got the ball, we turned over too quickly and too cheaply, but I’m very proud at the way we committed ourselves.
      “We tried, we kept running for the 90 minutes but on the day, we were just beaten by a better team.”
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      Brighton boss Powell hopes for more chances for black coaches at women’s game’s elite levels

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      HOPE POWELL wants more action to tackle the shortage of black and minority ethnic coaches at the highest levels of women’s football.And the Brighton chief is concerned by the lack of diversity in Lionesses squads.
      Hope Powell and her Brighton players will take on Arsenal in a Women’s FA Cup semi-final clashCredit: PA
      Should her Seagulls’ beat Arsenal later this afternoon, Powell will become the first black female Women’s Super League manager to lead a team to an FA Cup final.
      The Albion manager, 54, said: “I am one of only two managers of colour in the top flight in the women’s game.
      “It makes me wonder if this is down to opportunity or if it’s about experience and qualifications.
      “But there are more and more females getting qualified, so is this about opportunities? This is something that needs to be looked at and addressed.
      “In the men’s game, the amount of people of colour that you see on the pitch doesn’t quite translate to off the pitch in those leadership roles.
      “The Diversity Code has been brought in to play by the FA to try and address that. How effective this will be is a matter of time.”

      Lewisham-born Powell, who began her coaching career managing England from 1998 to 2013, is seen as a trailblazer in the game by a number of former Lionesses and women’s top-flight players.
      Among those who hailed the Albion gaffer’s influence is Peckham Town boss Mary Phillip, 44, who became the first black player to skipper England in 2003.
      The ex-Arsenal defender won 63 international caps and played in two World Cups in her 13-year international career.
      Powell hopes Phillip will become the first of many managing in the Women’s Super League — and inspire others.
      She added: “The important thing in my journey is that I’ve had loads of help during my career.
      “I think it’s really important that I try and help people be the best they can be.
      “And I hope the likes of Mary and others will end up supporting the next generation coming through.”
      Mary Phillip (front row, first left) is among the former Lionesses who credits Powell as being a positive influence on her football careerCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The last tournament final Powell led a team to was at the 2009 Women’s Euros where the Lionesses were beaten by the then four-time champions Germany.
      The England team that competed in that match included three black players in its starting 11: Anita Asante, Eniola Aluko and Alex Scott, plus Lianne Sanderson and Jessica Clarke as subs.
      In recent years the number of players from minority ethnic backgrounds in senior England squads has declined.
      I know that the FA are looking to see what they can do to improve the diversity and it’s really important because it feels like there’s not the representation that was there once. Hope Powell
      Only Nikita Parris and Demi Stokes were in the group selected to face Northern Ireland and Latvia earlier this month.
      And Powell sees this as a knock-on effect of the shortage of homegrown black talent at the highest levels of women’s club football in England.
      She said: “I think what we’re not seeing is perhaps the diversity on the pitch. It was certainly more in my day. I think there are reasons for that.
      “The FA did the right thing wanting to professionalise regional training centres.
      “With the best will in the world I think we’ve done that with Brighton’s training centre, but the challenge is for people to get there if they are from low-income families.
      Powell hopes to see more homegrown black and minority ethnic talent break through into the senior England squad
      “I know that the FA are looking to see what they can do to improve the diversity and it’s really important because it feels like there’s not the representation that was there once.
      “We had Mary Phillip, Kerry Davis, Brenda Sempare. There were more people of colour, it would seem.
      “Internationally we had Anita Asante, Rachel Yankey and there seemed to be more. I think that’s something that will need to be addressed going forward.”
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      Hayes reflects on being close to giving birth during Chelsea’s last Women’s FA Cup final win

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      EMMA HAYES feared she would end up giving birth at Wembley during Chelsea’s triumph over Arsenal in the 2018 Women’s FA Cup final.And the Kingsmeadow boss, 45, says the contest — which was a big part of her childhood — will always remain dear.
      Hayes and Chelsea are aiming to reach their third tournament final this yearCredit: Rex
      Hayes says her favourite FA Cup final memory is being ten days away from giving birth to her son Harry when Chelsea beat Arsenal to win the trophy in 2018Credit: Getty
      Hayes’ team are due to take on Manchester City at the Academy Stadium this afternoon, with the Citizens aiming to win the contest for the fourth time following their triumph over Everton last year.
      When asked what were her most memorable cup moments she recalled that 2018 final, saying: “My favourite Chelsea one was me ten days from giving birth to my son Harry.
      “I remember sitting in the chair with us 3-1 up thinking, ‘Thank goodness, I don’t want an early labour’.
      “I was so relieved because I could have gone into labour at any point.
      “I probably shouldn’t have been there but I promised to remain calm.
      “I think it’s one of the reasons why my son has adjusted so well to being a fan.
      “It’s because he’s so used to being in the womb pitch side with me in really big moments!
      “That’s why I think he’s so comfortable with crowd noise.”

      The FA Cup, which Chelsea have won twice under Hayes, is a contest fondly regarded by the Blues chief in her current job and during her 2006 to 2008 stint as assistant manager of Arsenal.
      Hayes added: “Even in my early years being at Arsenal with Vic (Akers) the FA Cup was always special, a special competition.
      “It’s dear to me because it’s so entrenched in my childhood.
      “And I’m from North London, and with Wembley, I’ve been there five or six times as a coach and I felt this is great, I’m used to being here, it feels quite homely.”
      City have been boosted with winger Hayley Raso returning from injury.
      Gareth Taylor’s Man City side are looking to retain the Women’s Cup following their triumph against Everton last year.Credit: Getty
      But the hosts will be without midfielder Ruby Mace and Alanna Kennedy in defence, with both players cup-tied.
      Boss Gareth Taylor said: “We were under the impression they could come back in because their previous teams were eliminated. It’s massively disappointing.
      “What an opportunity for them to play in this game and that’s been taken away, but we move on and make the best of it. It’s a big challenge.”
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      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Wiegman’s England to face Shiels’ Northern Ireland in Women’s 2022 Euros group stage

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      SARINA WIEGMAN believes the Lionesses should have no fear of battling Europe’s elite teams at the Women’s Euros in July next year.England will be pitted against their World Cup qualifier rivals Northern Ireland, Austria and two-time Euro winners Norway in the tournament’s group stage.
      England and Northern will play against each other in the 2022 Women’s Euros group stagesCredit: Rex
      Sarina Wiegman wants England to be at their ‘highest level’ by the start of the tournamentCredit: Getty
      And the contest’s host nation will face 2017 semi-finalists Austria in their first Group A match at Old Trafford which is the competition’s opening game on July 6, 2022.
      The England chief told reporters: “If you want to do really well in a tournament you shouldn’t be thinking about avoiding opponents.
      “You should just go (for it) when every opponent comes
      “We want to perform at the highest level we can and afterwards we can just see what the outcome is when it’s an equal game.
      “Whatever comes our way we just have to be well prepared, make the best out of it and get our level at the highest it can that we can be and that’s just what we need to do and then we’ll see what the result.”
      Kenny Shiels, whose Northern Ireland side reached the competition for the first time in their history, admitted the group games for his team will be ‘tough’

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      His team were beaten 4-0 by the Lionesses in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Saturday and fell to two 6-0 losses to Norway in the Euros qualifying stages.
      However, the team came close to defeating Austria in the second of the two World Cup qualifiers this month at the Seaview home of football side Crusaders.
      A late goal Stefanie goal effort saw the game at Seaview finish 2-2 after Demi Vance’s long-range screamer gave Northern Ireland a 2-1 lead.   
      And Shiels reckons there are harder groups in the Euros’ early stages with some dubbing Group B – which contains Germany, Spain, Denmark and Finland – as the contest’s group of death.
      The Northern Ireland boss said: “England cheered when our name came out (of the bowl), that was brilliant. I can’t believe how karma would do this.
      “We’ve played two of them in the last five days on the week of the draw. It’s ironic and we played Norway (twice in Euro 2022 qualifying).”
      “There are harder groups, to be honest. I think Germany would be the team you want to avoid the most because it’s hard to do your homework on Germany.
      Kenny Shiels says while Northern Ireland’s group A opponents are tough there are harder groups in the Euros
      “I think these three (England, Norway and Austria) will be really tough opponents, but we have to individualise them and look at Norway.
      “Before Norway, we’ve got North Macedonia (in the World Cup qualifiers) and then we’ve got Austria and England in the World Cup (qualifiers).
      “Those are important fixtures that are foremost in my head and then we start looking at Norway in July.”
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      England Women’s boss Sarina Wiegman takes her first training session with the Lionesses More

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      Latvia 0 England 10 Toone leads England thrashing of minnows as Lionesses progress in World Cup qualifiers

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      ELLA TOONE and England were on song as they crushed Latvia to strengthen their grip at the top of their World Cup qualifying group.The Manchester United star’s hat-trick in a lopsided 10-0 win helped make boss Sarina Wiegman’s 52nd birthday a winning one.
      Ella Toone netted a hat-trick England beat Latvia 10-0Credit: Getty
      Fran Kirby made her 50th appearance for EnglandCredit: Getty
      After the game, Toone said: I’m delighted that I managed to get the hat-trick, but more importantly, we got the three points which was the main thing we set out to do.
      “But for me, it’s been a special night and a very proud moment for me and my family.”
      England gaffer Wiegman added: “[Ella] is a very talented player.
      “I think she can do well because the whole team plays well and we have spoken about tasks and how we want to play and I think others do really well too. 
      “I don’t know how good Ella will become, that’s up to her, but she is very talented.” 
      The match saw Ellen White edge closer to beating Kelly Smith’s record as the Lionesses’ all-time top goalscorer, firing her 44th international goal that leaves her just three shy of breaking the record.

      That was despite the striker seeing her first-half spot-kick saved courtesy of a quality stop by Latvia keeper Enija Anna Vaivode.
      Latvia are currently 94 places below England in Fifa’s national team rankings. 
      And the country are thought to have just 1,800 registered female footballers.
      That gigantic gulf in class showed within the game’s opening quarter with Toone getting the visitors off the mark early. 
      The Red Devils ace latched onto Lauren Hemp’s well-struck curled cross to smash in a top corner effort in the eighth minute. 
      And the England playmaker nabbed her second moments later at the Daugava Stadium with Fran Kirby teeing her up after being brought down in the 18-yard-box.
      Such was England’s dominance over the Group D strugglers that Wiegman’s side had 85 per cent of possession in the game’s first 15 minutes.
      And they picked up two more goals before the half-time whistle.
      First through White’s strike, then via Millie Bright who tapped the ball home from yards out moments after the half-hour mark, following Kirby’s pinpoint free-kick.
      Ellen White moved closer to equalling Kelly Smith’s goalscoring record for EnglandCredit: AP
      The first-half’s closing stages saw England win a penalty after Hemp was brought down in the box.
      But Latvia keeper Vaivode pulled off a fantastic double save to deny White from the spot and then Beth Mead racing through to bury the rebound.
      The second spell saw Wiegman make changes with Nikita Parris, Demi Stokes, Rachel Daly and Georgia Stanway entering the fray.
      And Stanway made her mark with a swift pass to Mead with the in-form Arsenal star scoring England’s fifth of the evening from a tight angle at the far post.
      Team-mate Toone picked up another goal 13 minutes later to notch up her first senior international hat-trick in the 68th minute.
      From then on it was a deluge of four late goals for the visitors against the footballing minnows.
      Rachel Daly netted a 70th-minute tap in before skipper Leah Williamson passed the ball in to make it 8-0.
      Moments later City ace Stanway buried a shot into the bottom corner
      Leah Williamson and Beth Meadboth got on the scoresheet for England against LatviaCredit: Getty
      And Daly registered her brace with eight minutes of normal time remaining to wrap up a 10-0 thrashing.
      Following the hefty result, England will find out who they play at Old Trafford in the first match of next year’s Euros with the draw taking place on Thursday
      Toone added: “I’ve played at Old Trafford before and it was amazing.
      “Hopefully, to play there for England will be really special and we can get loads of fans in there and make it a special occasion.”
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      Sarina Wiegman puts the ‘team accomplishment’ above Beth Mead’s stunning hat-trick as England beat Northern Ireland 4-0 More

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      Chelsea star Fran Kirby eyes England 50th cap milestone with Lionesses targeting a win against Latvia

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      FRAN KIRBY is proud of the journey that has put her on the verge of making her fiftieth senior England international appearance. The Chelsea playmaker says the Lionesses will treat their World Cup qualifier opponents Latvia as they would any other side.
      Chelsea star Fran Kirby is in line to receive her 50th England international capCredit: Getty
      This is despite the minnows shipping a whopping 16 goals in their three previous encounters.
      Back in August 2014, Kirby – then a Reading forward – became the first-ever Women’s Championship player to be called up to the Lionesses senior squad before World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus.   
      The WSL ace, 28, who netted on her England debut that year, said: “When I look back at my first England cap, I didn’t know the experiences I was going to have, playing in World Cups, playing in Euros, playing against the best teams in the world.
      “It’s a really proud journey for me and I’m just so grateful to be here and to be part of this team
      “I love playing for England, I love wearing the shirt and I love playing in a big tournament against big teams.
      “I’m happy with how it’s going and hopefully, I can keep building on it and keep working.”

      Kirby’s journey within the game has been one of many highs and a few lows with the Kingsmeadow star battling to overcome a heart disease which almost led her to consider retirement at 27.
      Since then the Lionesses star has gone from strength to strength, winning a WSL Player of the Year award and being shortlisted for the 2021 Ballon d’Or.
      The Blues’ all-time top scorer is targeting a third World Cup qualifying win this season with her team-mates and boss Sarina Wiegman in their away clash against Latvia.
      And Kirby insists England – currently ranked the eighth-best side in the world – will not take their assignment against their Group D rivals lightly.
      This is despite Latvia – who are 94 places lower in Fifa’s rankings – having lost their last 14 international games.
      Kirby added: “We will be favourites going in because we’re ranked a lot higher and we’ve played many higher placed teams than Latvia.
      Kirby says England will be approaching their match against Latvia as they would against higher-ranked opponentsCredit: Getty
      “But we know that we have to go in with the mindset that we have for every game whether it’s against top opposition or teams like North Macedonia or Latvia.
      “I don’t think we’re thinking too much about that. We’re just focusing on ourselves and focusing on what we can control in the game.
      “We’re just focusing on ourselves.”
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      Fran Kirby scores every goal in training More

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      England boss Wiegman says it will be a ‘hard decision’ picking Lionesses’ forwards to start against Latvia

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      SARINA WIEGMAN hinted Beth Mead’s electric form in attack has given her a selection headache before England’s clash with Latvia.The Arsenal ace’s history-making 15-minute hat-trick was amongst the goals that led the team to pole position in their World Cup qualifying group.
      Beth Mead could be in line to start against Latvia against EnglandCredit: Getty
      The Gunners’ striker became the first woman to score three times for the national side at Wembley after coming off the bench as a second-half substitute.
      When asked if she has a tough choice picking who starts up front the Lionesses boss said: “Those thoughts I’ve had from the beginning when I started (the job) in September because I think we have many good players.
      “Some players play in the same position but have different qualities and are very good. I have hard decisions to make all the time.
      “We have the game against Latvia on Tuesday, so first let’s see how everyone recovers from playing Northern Ireland and then we’ll make the decisions later.
      “Everyone just has to be ready. We’re professional players, we want to win games. And we want to qualify for the World Cup and prepare for the Euros.
      “Everyone is very excited, but they are also working on their own development within our team.”

      The Lionesses have racked up 22 goals in their first three qualifying matches for the 2023 tournament with minnows North Macedonia and Luxembourg crushed 8-0 and 10-0.
      And the team had nine different scorers in both games with Mead netting once against the Macedonians and Beth England grabbing three goals across both encounters.
      Lauren Hemp reckons the Lionesses current attacking form is inspiring her to take things up a notch on the pitch.
      Lauren Hemp believes England’s form will improve following their three World Cup qualifying winsCredit: Getty
      The Man City winger, who made her senior international debut in a 1-0 friendly 2019 win against Portugal, came close to netting against Northern Ireland.
      Hemp, 21, said: “I get to train with the best players and that only brings out the best in me so it’s exciting to see the number of threats we have going forward.
      “We’re scoring goals we’re creating lots of chances, being patient on the ball.
      “I think we will keep improving and hopefully, the results will show going forward.”
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      Sarina Wiegman puts the ‘team accomplishment’ above Beth Mead’s stunning hat-trick as England beat Northern Ireland 4-0 More