Katie McCabe says belief and togetherness were key to Arsenal’s victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.

McCabe spoke to The Gooner Fanzine after Arsenal’s first Champions League win in 18 years. She said the team always believed they could rise to the occasion, even against one of the most dominant sides in Europe.

“Yeah, we know what Barcelona are capable of, but we also know what we’re capable of as well when we’re on it,” she said. “That belief has been instilled in us, coming back from the deficits against Madrid and against Lyon, but also, we knew we had to go all in. It’s a final, anything can happen.”

While many had labelled Arsenal underdogs, McCabe made clear that within the dressing room, there was never a sense of inferiority.

“We knew there was the ‘underdog’ word being thrown around, but for us we deserve to be in this final,” she said. “We gave it everything today and Stina [Blackstenius] got her moment, and she took it, so I’m super happy for her, and yeah, let the celebrations begin.”

Katie McCabe post-Arsenal’s Champions League win! @GoonerFanzine pic.twitter.com/ghtnjdOUov

— Izzy Gilligan (@isobelgilligan) May 25, 2025