Arsenal’s Debut Campaign Proves Challenging – Russo’s Perspective
Alessia Russo, one of the most recognizable names in English women’s football, has had a solid start to her career at Arsenal. With six goals in 16 Women’s Super League (WSL) appearances this season, she has shown her potential on the pitch. However, Arsenal’s overall performance has been underwhelming, being knocked out of the Champions League in qualifying and falling six points behind the WSL title pace.
Russo has found herself on the bench for some of the team’s biggest games, with Stina Blackstenius chosen as the starting number nine instead. Despite this, Russo remains positive about her first season at Arsenal and sees it as a learning experience. She acknowledges the challenges but expresses her love for the game and her determination to contribute as much as she can.
The upcoming Continental Cup final against Chelsea presents an opportunity for Arsenal to end the season with a trophy. While Chelsea has had the upper hand in recent seasons, Arsenal did defeat them in the League Cup final last season. For Russo, winning a club trophy in English football would be a first, adding extra motivation for her to perform well in the final.
At only 25 years old, Russo has already experienced major finals, including the 2023 World Cup final with England. She understands the emotions that come with both winning and losing and hopes to draw on those experiences in the upcoming final against Chelsea. Russo believes there is no greater feeling than winning a trophy with her team and is excited about the occasion.
Russo’s role in the final remains uncertain, given Arsenal’s preference to pick either her or Blackstenius. The two forwards have started only two league matches together this season. Blackstenius has been impressive, scoring four goals in 399 WSL minutes and creating more expected goals compared to Russo. However, Russo appreciates the competition and the chance to learn from her teammate, recognizing that they push each other to be better.
One key aspect where Blackstenius has an advantage over Russo is her ability to make more touches in the opposition box. Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall has highlighted this as an area for improvement for Russo, aiming to turn her into a 20-goal a season striker. Russo welcomes the challenge and is grateful for her manager’s belief in her potential. She has been working hard on and off the pitch to analyze and improve her game.
Russo admits that she is relatively new to the center-forward position, having played there for only three seasons. She sees it as a position that requires continuous learning and improvement. She enjoys trying new things and evolving as a player. Scoring goals and being around the box have always been her favorite aspects of football, and she is determined to score more goals and create more opportunities for her team.
In conclusion, Russo’s debut season at Arsenal has had its challenges, but she remains positive and motivated to contribute to the team’s success. The upcoming Continental Cup final against Chelsea presents an opportunity for Arsenal to end the season with a trophy, and Russo is excited about the occasion. She values her relationship with Blackstenius and sees the competition between them as a way to improve. Russo is determined to continue learning and evolving as a player, with a focus on becoming a more prolific goal-scorer.