29/9/23
Above: Mackenzie Arnold with the West Ham United captain’s armband. Photo supplied to Impetus by: West Ham United FC.
West Ham United this evening announced that Mackenzie Arnold has been appointed captain for the 2023/24 season.
Arnold will take over the role from Dagný Brynjarsdóttir, who will not feature during the upcoming campaign after announcing in August the news of her pregnancy. Defender Hawa Cissoko has stepped up to become vice-captain.
Arnold is heading into her fourth season in East London, having made the move to the Hammers in July 2020. Since then, Arnold has made 69 appearances in claret and blue, helping the team pick up points by putting in superb displays in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
The 29-year-old had a fantastic tournament at the World Cup in her home country of Australia, where she impressed as the Matildas reached the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in their history.
She becomes the third captain in the women’s team’s professional history after Brynjarsdóttir and Gilly Flaherty, and Arnold is excited about leading Rehanne Skinner’s team into their sixth season in the Barclays WSL.
“It’s an absolute honour to be named captain of West Ham United,” she told whufc.com.
“It’s still a bit surreal to be honest. I’ve been here for four years now and East London feels like home. The club has done so much for me and is really close to my heart – it feels like family.
“I still remember my first captain at the age of 16, 17 years old. I can see myself in a lot of the younger girls in the changing room now and I want to have the same impact on them as Clare Polkinghorne had on me. I want to help this team grow and for us to enjoy the journey along the way.
“I have always felt like I belong at West Ham and so to be given the honour of leading the girls out this season is something I’m really proud of.”
Manager Rehanne Skinner added: “I am delighted to name Mackenzie and Hawa as our captain and vice-captain for the upcoming season. They are two of the more experienced players in our dressing room and in entering their fourth season at West Ham, they both know what it means to represent the badge.
“They bring different strengths to the team both on and off the pitch which provides a great balance for the squad. From our first conversation to now, it has been evident how much energy and passion they have for this team and I have no doubt that their leadership qualities will help to drive us to the next level.”
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