Mackenzie Arnold profiled as World Cup star targeted to replace Mary Earps
A brick wall. The common football description for a goalkeeper proving to be particularly indomitable.
But after the Women's World Cup quarter-final match between Australia and France this summer, arguably no goalkeeper was more synonymous with the description than the Matildas’ Mackenzie Arnold.
Rugby league club Brisbane Broncos dedicated one minute and 28 seconds to handing a brick with three holes (one for each of Arnold’s three penalty shoot-out saves against France) around their training facility, and eventually to Arnold herself, to the tune of the Commodores “Brick House”. Online marketplace Redbubble was selling bespoke Arnold brick wall stickers. The online supply of Arnold-brick memes was endless.
“That’s Macca doing Macca things,” was the succinct explanation from Australia teammate Tameka Yallop for the 29-year-old goalkeeper’s nerves of steel and technical ability.
Those 'Macca things' look on track for a move to Manchester United from West Ham United before the close of the women’s transfer window next week.
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United are preparing for the possible departure of England No 1 Mary Earps amid a protracted contract saga with the 30-year-old, and the Hammers’ Arnold sits at the top of a replacement shortlist, as Mirror Football revealed on Thursday.
Preparing any shortlist to replace Earps was always going to be difficult. Earps is this summer’s Golden Glove Winner. Her 14 clean sheets in the WSL last season earned her the domestic equivalent as well.
Her 50 clean sheets in the WSL is the first of its kind in the league’s 13-year history, as are her nearly 200 appearances. She is a Ballon d’Or nominee with a high likelihood of winning.
But Arnold’s mounting prowess and reputation as one of the world's top goalkeepers is promising for a club threatening to lose a third top-level star in the space of a single transfer window.
Known for her tenacious and unapologetic character, Arnold is fearlessly vocal towards opposition as much as teammates when between the sticks and holds herself and others to imperiously high standards. She is quick in the quip (as seen by her post-match interviews at the Women’s World Cup) and quicker in her box.
Arnold began her career in Australia’s W-League, with two separate stints at Perth Glory plus seasons at Canberra United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar.
At the age of just 18, she made her Matildas debut in 2012 but found herself stuck in an established pecking order with little wriggle room.
Mackenzie Arnold of Australia celebrates after saving the first penalty of France from Selma Bacha (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Six years later, Arnold made the gamble to move abroad. A year with Arna-Bjornar in the Norwegian top-flight in March 2018 materialised, before a move to NWSL side Chicago Red Stars the next summer.
But it was Arnold’s next move to West Ham United in the WSL the following season that would prove defining.
In Arnold’s three years with the club, she has cut herself one of the league’s most exciting shot-stoppers and is largely credited with keeping the club in a stable league position, none more than last season as a shocking second half of the season threatened to culminate in relegation had it not been for Arnold.
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Those familiar with the WSL will be familiar with Arnold’s exploits. It was Arnold’s defiant performance in a goalless draw with Arsenal in the Spring that left the Gunners frustratingly lagging in the title race while maintaining West Ham’s safety.
The rise of Arnold’s stock, and the expiration of her current contract next summer, has seen a move away from east London look increasingly likely.
Mary Earps looks likely to depart Manchester United amid an ongoing contract saga (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)Arnold was linked with a potential move to reigning league champions Chelsea earlier this season. However, a move to United looks most likely with the latter having placed the Australian at the top of their list amid growing uncertainty over Earps’ future.
West Ham have also seemingly prepared for Arnold’s departure, with two of their four summer signings being goalkeepers.
Any move remains contingent on Earps' departure. But for those at United, Arnold is viewed as a more than capable replacement with ample WSL experience. A jump from West Ham to Man Utd will always prove challenging, but Arnold has shown she can handle the glare of a spotlight.
During the quarter-final penalty shootout, Arnold stepped up coolly to take the fifth penalty, only to fantastically slice the effort off the post. Hardly rattled, Arnold returned to goal to deny France another penalty.
That unflappable character was on show during her post-match interview and days later as the keeper produced a withering comeback ahead of Australia’s semi-final clash with England amid cheeky accusations that both teams were playing down the rivalry.
“There's probably a lot of English people who would love to see us knocked out by England, but I think there's more Australians that would love to see England knocked out by us,” Arnold chirped.
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