Alessia Russo didn’t grow up supporting Arsenal. But after three years, a FIFA Champions Cup trophy, and that unforgettable bus parade through north London, the 27-year-old striker says she can’t help it anymore.
In a new interview with The Guardian, Russo opened up about her deepening bond with the club, her best season yet, and why the WSL title is squarely in her sights for 2026-27.
From Manchester United to “Childhood Gooner”
Arsenal fans have long joked about Russo being a “childhood Gooner.” The joke went viral when someone photoshopped a childhood photo, swapping her Manchester United shirt for an Arsenal one.
Russo finds it funny. But here’s the thing — it’s not entirely a joke anymore.
“Since I’ve joined the club and seen the people around the place, it’s impossible to not become a part of Arsenal,” she told The Guardian.
She pointed to the 9km victory parade in May as a defining moment. Arsenal’s men had won the Premier League. The women had lifted the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. The streets were packed.
“I had the time of my life that day,” Russo said. “Celebrating the men winning the Prem, something they’d worked so hard for for so many years, I was just soaking it in.”
Sharing that day with lifelong Gooners Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy made it even more special.
A Career-Best Season in Numbers
If Russo’s connection to Arsenal grew off the pitch, her performances on it were equally impressive. The 2025-26 campaign was her strongest yet:
- 22 goals and 8 assists across 34 appearances in all competitions
- 13 WSL goals and 6 assists, finishing as the league’s second-top scorer
- Key contributions in Arsenal’s Champions Cup run, including a brace in the 6-0 semi-final demolition of AS FAR
Arsenal beat Brazilian side Corinthians 3-2 after extra time in the Champions Cup final at the Emirates — a night that earned them the largest prize pot in women’s club football history.
They also reached the Champions League semi-finals before bowing out to Lyon. But the WSL title eluded them again. Manchester City clinched it, leaving Arsenal as runners-up for the second straight season.
That’s not something Russo wants to repeat.
“We’ve learned a lot as a team over the past couple of years,” she said. “But we’ve made it quite clear we want to do everything we can to be the team most capable of winning the WSL.”
Eyes on the WSL Title and a Refreshed Squad
Arsenal haven’t won the WSL since 2018-19. It’s the one trophy that keeps slipping away. Can this be the year they finally reclaim it?
There are reasons for optimism. Renée Slegers has overseen a significant squad overhaul this summer. Five new faces have arrived — Georgia Stanway from Bayern Munich, Ona Batlle from Barcelona, Géraldine Reuteler, Selina Cerci, and teenage forward Lisa Baum.
Those arrivals offset the departures of Beth Mead, Katie McCabe, and several other experienced players.
“We’ve got seven new players, we’ve got a squad that’s raring to go,” Russo said. “The competition in it is high.”
Beyond chasing silverware, Russo has used a rare summer off to recharge and focus on causes close to her heart. She launched her own foundation this year and partnered with Starling Bank’s Kick On initiative, which connects local businesses with girls’ grassroots teams in need of sponsorship.
The numbers she cited are stark. Nearly all grassroots women’s clubs (97%) say they need more funding. And 76% of female players warned they could drop out of the sport entirely within five years without it.
“You never want to miss out on the next Leah Williamson,” Russo said. “It seems like such an easy fix as teams don’t need much, but obviously it isn’t because it’s still a problem.”
With pre-season underway and the WSL kicking off on September 6, Russo heads into the new campaign rested, motivated, and very much an Arsenal player in every sense of the word.
Don’t be surprised if that “childhood Gooner” label sticks for good.
