Alessia Russo, a former Manchester United player, has revealed that her decision to join Arsenal last summer was a tough one to make. Following discussions with people associated with the club, the 24-year-old England international felt that it was the right time to take the next step in her career. Russo made the move to Arsenal on a free transfer after United rejected two world record bids for her.
Although Russo has only scored two goals in eight Women’s Super League games for Arsenal, she has expressed feeling very settled off the pitch in north London. In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, she emphasized the feeling of comfort and the special atmosphere at Arsenal that convinced her it was the right move for her career.
“I felt so comfortable. I’ve got some of my best friends in Manchester. I know I’ve still got them as friends for life, which is great. But people go through it all the time: you have to step out of your comfort zone,” Russo said.
While acknowledging the difficulty of leaving her comfort zone, Russo highlighted the importance of being in the right place and having the right people around her. She credited the people at Arsenal for making her feel at ease and giving her the confidence to move forward in her career.
Russo’s admiration for Arsenal also came from the way they elevate the women’s game and the significant work they put into the women’s team. Russo expressed that she could feel the special atmosphere at Arsenal as soon as she walked through the door, a sentiment that was echoed by Arsenal legend Kelly Smith. Smith, who is now working at the club in a coaching capacity, praised Russo for her eagerness to learn and her humility.
The feeling of mutual respect and admiration between Smith and Russo was evident, with Russo describing Smith as one of her idols since she was a little girl. Russo also talked about her personal evolution as a player and emphasized the importance of learning and paying attention to finer details to continuously improve her game.
As Russo continues to settle into life at Arsenal, she is focused on evolving her game and making a significant impact on the pitch. With her determination to learn and grow, Russo is looking forward to making a mark at Arsenal as she aims to contribute to the team’s success in the Women’s Super League.
