McCabe was expected to miss the Women's Super League title showdown against City, but instead helped her side leapfrog their rivals, taking them from fourth to second in the table.
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The goal capped off an incredible week for the Republic of Ireland captain, who was seen on crutches and in a protective boot just four days earlier after Arsenal knocked Bayern Munich out of the Women's Champions League.
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It wasn't all positive, though, with McCabe to miss Arsenal's next match against leaders Manchester United, another crucial game in the title race.
That is because McCabe struck England Euro 2022 legend Chloe Kelly on the head with the ball during a throw-in.
The Gunners were a goal down thanks to Khadija Shaw's strike at the time, and heading for a result that would have seriously dented their title chances.
The 10th minute incident saw the Ireland captain pick up her fifth yellow card of the season, when she tapped an encroaching Kelly with with the ball.
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Frida Maanum then went on to equalise in the second half, before McCabe's stunning winner saw City beaten for the first time since September.
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The loss of McCabe stacks the odds against Arsenal, who are already without world-class forwards Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema.
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Despite that, manager Jonas Eidevall has the team in the semi-finals of the Champions League against Wolfsburg, and right back in the mix at the top of the WSL table.